Debra Northern

Experience

• 

  National Grid

  Jan 1996 - Jan 2004

  Senior Social Worker | Manager

  Provided community outreach, counseling, psycho-social assessment, crisis invention home visiting, education, and advocacy. Offered intensive case management services to improve the quality of living for community constituents. ◆ Conducted formal presentations of the On-track Program to consumers, service providers, outside agencies and elected officials as well as company employees. ◆ Key member of the outreach program, proofed and edited newsletters, established alliances in the industry as well as community representatives, and participated in the development of video messaging as a new outreach tool. ◆ Coordinated the first internship program for social work graduate students.◆ Planned and organized employment workshops for unemployed and underemployed customers.◆ Provided individual and group counseling to address a myriad of issues. ◆ Utilized various treatment modalities in working with unemployed, underemployed, and people with addictions.◆ Instrumental in organizing and implementing a citywide foreclosure prevention taskforce to address predatory lending issues. Conducted research and studies among customers in program to identify trends and improve services. Show less

• 

  New York City Presbytery

  Jan 2005 - Jan 2006

  Seminary Intern/Program Evaluator

  Intern/Program Evaluator Traveled throughout the boroughs of New York to observe, lead, and support Presbyterian churches sponsoring Summer Vacation Bible School programs. Overall responsibilities included:• Providing program assistance and support to ensure qualitative services. • Preparing and leading devotional prayers.• Bible studies• Creating dramatic skits for enhancing participants’ overall learning experience.• Preaching • Prepared comprehensive written reports and analysis with evaluations and recommendations for 20-30 programs. Show less

• 

  Washington National Cathedral

  Jan 2006 - Jan 2007

  Seminary Intern

  Responsible for leading small groups through spiritual/faith-related discussions and exercises for the purpose of creating/building community. Responsibilities also included: • Serving as the Eucharistic and healing minister• Planning and preparing a national conference for Women in Preaching. • Leading a study on clergy and their justice-seeking ministries within the Washington Diocese (designed for the purpose of developing and/or improving justice-seeking ministries in local parishes). Show less

• 

  The Riverside Church

  Oct 2008 - Nov 2023

  Managed all social services and outreach programs as well as crisis response services. Directly supervised staff, volunteers, and college/graduate interns.◆ Developed and fostered relationships with not-for-profit entities, community organizations, and government agencies to actively promote programs/services and secure funding.◆ Creatively partnered on marketing strategies and media solutions to increase awareness of social services programs:• Recognition by the Food Bank of NYC for the outstanding service of the food pantry, increasing fresh food and produce options for pantry guests. • CBS special featured training program for its innovation in Faith-Based employment initiatives. • Gained mainstream media coverage for two innovative social programs for making a difference in the lives of unsheltered New Yorkers. ◆ Grant writing and management Show less

  • Senior Level Management – Minister of Care

    Oct 2008 - Nov 2023

  • Senior Management – Director of Social Services

    Oct 2008 - Nov 2023
• 

  Finding Peace of Mind

  Apr 2024 - now

  Founder