Taina C. Ligonde
**** * **** ******, *** * K - Brooklyn, NY 11234
Telephone: 718-***-****; Cellular: 347-***-****; E-mail:
ab08ak@r.postjobfree.com
EDUCATION
****-**** ************ ******* ** New York - New York, NY
Degree Awarded: Master in Public Affairs and Administration
2002-2006 Fisk University - Nashville, TN
Degree Awarded: Bachelor in Psychology and Art
WORK EXPERIENCE
Movimiento de Mujeres Dominico-Haitianas (MUDHA)/ Haitian Women for Haitian
Refugees (HWHR)
12/2011 -11/2012 Intern-Volunteer Abroad
- Spent a year in the Dominican Republic as a volunteer to assist in
the collaboration of New York-based HWHR and with its Dominican
Republic-based partner MUDHA in organizing their transnational ongoing
human rights campaign for birthright and nationality as well as its
annual seminar on human rights.
- Conducted Art workshop sessions with youth, particularly young women
and girls, in several bateyes, communities, using clay, multimedia
collages and other art materials for creative and therapeutic
expressions.
- Organized group sessions in New York and the Dominican Republic with
young women and girls on issues such as self-esteem, sex and
sexuality, race and racism, personal and communal goals and
objectives.
HWHR Immigration Legal Clinics/Lutheran Social Services of New York
2011 - Present Translator/Interpreter
Volunteer
-Provided translation from English-Haitian Creole for Haitian
immigrants Temporary Protective Status (TPS) applicants.
NYC Administration for Children and Services (NYCACS)
3/2008 - 6/2009 Child Protective Specialist
-Conducted investigations in homes of families where maltreatment of
children was alleged; responsible for extensive documenting and
information gathering and entry; referred families for additional
services when needed; scheduled and held meetings and conferences with
different department entities to discuss related matters to cases.
2007-Present - (English-Haitian Creole) Freelance Interpreter
-Worked on a freelance basis with law firms and organizations,
including DLA Piper, Kramer and Levin, GB Language Consulting, and
with the New York City Department of Education; served as interpreter
for refugees and detainees during legal process to apply for political
asylum, parents/families at committee on Special Education meetings,
clients meeting with doctors, etc.
3/2007-4/2007 - Grass Roots Human Rights Campaign Lobbyist
-Informed public about needed support for promoting equality, ending
employment discrimination, expanding hate crime laws, granting same-
sex couples equal rights and benefits, and raised funds for the
campaign.
6/2006-8/2006 - Tennessee State Department of Health Program Assistant
- Analyzed prevalence data related to Diabetes in the state of
Tennessee; scheduled and prepared teleconferences for the department;
conducted/collated research data on Diabetes in the US and presented
data and information on diabetes at local and national
teleconferences; ordered the necessary materials needed for the
diabetes project that was at hand.
ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERING EXPERIENCE
Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees
2009-2011 Social Worker/Volunteer
-Managed cases, referred troubled youth for needed services such as
counseling. Was present during court proceedings as they related to
the troubled youth. Organized and supervised programs/activities to
help improve the lifestyles of Haitian and Haitian American juveniles.
Fisk University Youth Mentoring Program Mentor
8/2005-8/2006 Counselor
-Mentored and counseled pre-teens and issues such as self-worth, self
esteem, social, academic and career goals.
6/2002-8/2002 - Dwa Fanm (Women's Rights) Intern Summer
-Designed and prepared questionnaires for client intake in the
Restav k Project, Haitian Children's Exploitation and Mistreatment
project; transcribed materials for documentary and assisted in special
activities.
LANGUAGE SKILLS: Haitian Creole, Some Spanish and French.
COMPUTER SKILLS: Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Internet and some
SPSS.
REFERENCES WILL BE FURNISHED UPON REQUEST.