Tanesha Bowens-Drake
Spanaway,WA
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Residential Specialist
Plymouth Housing
09.2024 - Current
- Operates all functions in the front lobby office, including checking and logging visitors in and out, answering telephones and monitoring security systems, directing vendors, and reading and replying to emails.
- Collaborates and works alongside internal stakeholders in providing effective support and resources, acts as a liaison between Plymouth residents and external service providers, conducts ongoing outreach to all residents and provide resources to residents as needed, welcomes all new residents into a safe environment, while always showing supportive cohesive services in all spaces and at all times.
- Collaborates and problem solves with Housing Case Managers and Community Specialist to take actions that align tenant services around resident goals; contact outside services providers as necessary.
- Supports and builds strong community relationships with all residents in creating a welcoming environment through creative and resourceful strategies that build trust and confidence:
- Support the well-being and housing stability by helping and educating tenants with access to resources and engaging them in learning life skills needed to navigate life's challenges.
- Answer resident questions, address complaints and provide residents supportive, coaching and follow-up.
- Partner and problem solve with creating plans that address concern or issues.
- Help tenants with unit services and can include but not limited to, re-entry into individual units.
- Mediates conflict using de-escalation, conflict mediation and other techniques as needed.
- Distribute notices, newsletters, brochures, and other relevant materials to residents, ensuring that communication accommodates language differences, cultural differences, visual impairments, and other necessary accommodations as requested by residents.
- Supports offsite property management through posting notices, outreaching/communicating with tenants, helping with sending work orders, and receiving rent payments.
- Provides support, guidance and oversight as directed by the Residential Services Manager for all volunteers and interns.
- Always maintains building security by monitoring and following all building/staff safety and emergency procedures, including use of radios, according to Plymouth policies.
- Maintains safety and security by monitoring all general access areas, including unauthorized guests, and informs RSM of any violation of program rules; intervene on tenants’ behalf to remove unauthorized guests, including calling 911.
- Conducts regular safety/floor checks and promotes a safe, positive and sanitary environment for residents and staff.
- Intervenes in crises, responds to emergencies, and initiates action as required, including contact with emergency response systems while focusing on the tenets of harm reduction and trauma-informed care.
- Facilitates access to building areas for contractors, repair and service representatives and vendors.
- Check all radios at the start and end of all shifts.
- Ensure significant events involving residents and building operations activities are recorded accurately in daily log and all necessary information during shift, read logs daily at start of shift; supports and or assists with other program documentation as needed i.e., Incident Reports.
- Maintains confidentiality and privacy of residents and compliance with regulatory requirements when assisting in gathering resident information attends staff and team meetings. Participate in regular supervision meetings.
- Practices a cooperative work approach and promotes teamwork among co-workers.
Shelter Services Lead
Mary’s Place
12.2023 - 07.2024
- Proactively create a welcoming and affirming environment, engaging families in high quality shelter services.
- Engage guests in conversations around their housing goals and assist them with resource navigation.
- Maintain a calm, affirming demeanor and model positive behavior, such as upholding professional boundaries.
- Address behavioral challenges, provide trauma-informed crisis management, conflict de-escalation, and set appropriate limits through an equity lens.
- Effectively collaborate and regularly communicate with other staff members and supervisors to ensure consistency; a team-based, solution-oriented approach to the work; and high-quality service delivery.
- Welcome and orient new families to shelter—provide shelter tours, explain programs, and complete and upload shelter intake documents.
- Collaboratively execute shelter processes according to time of the day and in accordance with the Shelter Policy Manual.
- Liaison with external and entities in absence of a supervisor.
- In collaboration with and under guidance of the Shelter & Services Manager, assist with training and mentoring new staff members.
- Model expectations of a highly effective employee.
Shelter Advocate
Mary’s Place
03.2022 - 12.2023
- Maintain a clean and sanitary shelter environment—disinfect high-touch areas; do laundry; restock supplies; clean bathrooms and showers; vacuum, sweep, and mop floors; clean up after meals; take out garbage, compost, and recycling; etc.
- Move around the facility and maintain an active presence around the shelter.
- Serve food and adhere to all food safety and serving protocols, including clear and consistent documentation.
- Record and report any building/facility concerns.
- Collaboratively execute shelter processes according to time of the day and in accordance with the Shelter Policy Manual.
- Engage in monthly staff meetings and training.
- Proactively create a welcoming and affirming environment, providing families with high-quality customer service.
- Engage guests in conversations around their housing goals and assist them with resource navigation. Maintain a calm, affirming demeanor and model positive behavior.
- Uphold professional boundaries with guests.
- Address behavioral challenges, provide trauma-informed crisis management, conflict de-escalation, and set appropriate limits through an equity lens.
- Effectively collaborate and regularly communicate with other staff members and supervisors to ensure. consistency; a team-based, solution-oriented approach to the work; and high-quality service delivery.
Timeline
Residential Specialist
Plymouth Housing
09.2024 - Current
Shelter Services Lead
Mary’s Place
12.2023 - 07.2024
Shelter Advocate
Mary’s Place
03.2022 - 12.2023