Benjamin Lopez Jr. seeks a coordinator/advocate position helping those in housing crisis. He has over 10 years of experience in roles managing shelter and job placement projects with vulnerable populations. His skills include supervising staff, compiling reports on population issues, and networking with social services agencies. He is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Helping those in housing crisis through advocacy and resource coordination
1. B e n j a m i n L o p e z J r
8 7 1 5 2 4 t h A V E
J e n i s o n , MI 4 9 4 2 8
6 1 6 . 2 9 2 . 1 6 9 2 b e n l o p e z j u n i o r@g m a i l . c o m
Presenting the unvarnished truth to those in a housing crisis in an appropriate and
helpful manner.
Summary of Qualifications:
· Strong experience in middle management roles with low-to-no supervision
· Manage complex shelter, job placement and safety projects from conception to
operational with staff of < 8 full-time employees
· Supervise in conditions with middle-functioning to low-functioning citizens
· Compile reports identifying population and crisis issues, present plan of action
· Organized, highly motivated, and detail-directed problem solver.
· Network with area crisis agencies including Salvation Army, ICCF, ACCESS
· Good analytical and organizational skills.
· Strong communication and relational skills with internal and external customers at
all levels.
· Proficient intermediate skills with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word,
PowerPoint and Outlook)
· Bilingual in English and Spanish
Education:
· Cosmetologist, Jordan College
· Business Administration, Grand Rapids Community College
· Computer Science Engineering, Davenport University
· Computer Science, Grand Rapids Community College
Employment:
11/12-Present
COORDINATOR/ADVOCATE
Mel Trotter Ministries
General Duties
· Supervise Day Center guests, including post-incarcerated clients
· Intervene and divert crisis situations, including recovering addicts, alcoholics,
homeless
· Non-medical assessment and placement of clients with mental illness/substance
users to appropriate housing situations
· Insure and supervise quality shelter for mainstream and 4X4/Transitional program
guests, including in-take process, one-to-one support, guidance and supervision.
2. · Acting liaison from clients to community resources including housing, clothing,
medical needs not met by MTM, pre-employment testing, transportation, meal
plans, medical intake, heat treat, register proper identification, drug drops
· Coordinate appearances with courts and parole officers; identify and assist during
trials
· Counsel in both one-on-one and group sessions.
· Maintain case management files on Shelter Program Guests.
04/11-11/12
Day Center Supervisor/Men’s Advocate, Shelter
Mel Trotter Ministries
· Lead and meet with Staff daily/weekly to communicate results of Programs
Leadership Meeting
· Complete reviews and provide feedback and training, as needed
Administration:
· Interact and network with social services, housing, and employment agencies
· Maintain case management files on shelter resident
· Present MTM policies with shelter resident
· Arrange transportation needs
· Qualitative and quantitative weekly report to supervisor, directors and Men’s
Program personnel
Education:
· Facilitate classes on overcoming homelessness
· Teach classes on employment including interview skills, resume building and
application process
· On-site community resources including houses and employment
· GED support
11/07-04/11
Sales/Donation
Mel Trotter Ministries
· Continual education in current automobile operation and service
· Develop & maintain rapport with visitors customers
· Receive donated goods from donors.
· Assist donors with car donations.
· Provide receipts to donors
· Maintain accurate donation records of total donors on a daily and weekly basis
· Organize donations as they are brought in, utilizing space available
· Assist with processing inventory
3. · Maintain a professional and courteous image at all times
· Demonstrate behavior with all internal and external customers and professionally
communicate donation policies and procedures.
06/06-11/07
Bilingual Customer Service, Call Center
Fifth Third Bank
· Connect bank customers to best suited business partner by product and services
· Develop rapport with the customer base, greet by/use name,
· Responsive and timely with correspondence and problem resolution, and display a
caring attitude.
· High confidentially, trust with integrity and ethics.
· Bank Operations/Transactions: Perform daily office responsibilities, working with
the PB, FSR, or FCM, to maintain the efficient operation of the office.
06/05-06/06
Bilingual Consumer Lending, Call Center, contractual
Quixtar
· Respond to in-bound inquiries
· Follow-up with vendors and distributors on delivery schedules
· Provide administrative support to the operations team
· Perform other duties as assigned by the superior
02/04-06/06
PVT ARNG,
United State Army
· Honorable Discharge
07/01-02/04
Bilingual Sales Consultant, Auto Center, (new & pre-owned)
Betten Imports
· Partner with customer to locate the options best suited to the customer’s needs
· Articulate vehicle selection, attributes, model options, features, purchase and
finance options, and dealership policies/services
· Negotiate sale closure in a clear, concise, and highly ethical fashion
· Complete all sales documentation in a comprehensive and accurate manner
· Facilitate delivery in town or out of town
· Present compelling financing options