Olivia Blocker

Experience

• 

  Inspiration Corporation

  Oct 2014 - Jun 2015

  Case Management Intern

  • Met with clients on a weekly basis to assess their needs and refer them to community services• Supported and advocated for clients in their search for housing, employment, and resources• Provided emotional support to clients through motivational interviewing, active listening and harm reduction techniques• Connected landlords and property managers with the Low-Income Housing Trust Fund subsidy program for clients• Completed case notes in agency database• Distributed emergency food to walk-ins Show less

• 

  Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health

  Oct 2015 - Jun 2016

  Educational Intern

  • Implement education programs for youth and adults in the areas of adolescent sexual health, rights, and identities• Develop and revise curriculum for both youth and adults on topics ranging from gender identity, and sexually transmitted infections to advocacy, and activism.• Facilitated health advocacy programming – in concert with health care providers and youth – focusing on the improving health care systems for youth• Developed a birth justice toolkit for young parents detailing information about their rights and ways to navigate complex health systems• Developed resources for the parents of adolescents to discuss their sexual health• Designed a presentation and facilitated a community event about incarcerated women and their reproductive health• Tracked policies and trends with regards to health and reproductive justice• Wrote blog posts for the ICAH website• Grant prospecting Show less

• 

  University of Chicago Medicine

  Oct 2015 - Oct 2016

  Research Assistant

  • Conduct outreach and engage with partner organizations to develop resource materials for research participants• Develop multiple code books with the research team to maintain consistency in qualitative coding methods among staff• Code transcripts from interviews and focus groups in collaboration with the research team using HyperRESEARCH• Conduct literature reviews

• 

  Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago

  Jul 2016 - Oct 2016

  Interviewer

  Conducted interviews with research participants aged 13 – 25 about their experiences with homelessness and housing instability.

• 

  The Chicago Center for HIV Elimination

  Sept 2016 - Nov 2019

  Research Project Coordinator

  • Oversee and coordinate funded research/service projects on the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS, with a particular focus on Black/African American LGBTQ populations.• Oversee an interdisciplinary team of researchers and project staff to ensure timely and accurate enrollment of research participants, data collection, and for implementing targeted interventions.• Develop and facilitate professional presentations about our research and the implications for African American LGBTQ populations• Implement intervention for participants, including education around HIV/AIDS, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), harm reduction, and light case management.• Manage confidentiality with participants in the research study• Exceptional knowledge of recruitment technique and strategies• Significant experience working with a diverse range of populations• Linkage-to-care and resource counseling Show less

• 

  Children and Family Justice Center

  Nov 2019 - Oct 2021

  Campaign Manager / Outreach and Policy Specialist

  I am in leadership with the Final 5 Campaign - a campaign to close the last 5 youth prisons in Illinois.Manage the Youth Leadership team, including:• Developing campaign work and decision-making structure;• Developing and monitoring Youth Leaders’ work plans;• Developing political education opportunities;• Developing life and workplace skill development opportunities;• Coordinating with CFJC team to submit bi-weekly hoursManage the Youth Cohort, including:• Designing and facilitating weekly meetings/workshops;• Coordinating with guest speakers;• Researching digital pedagogical tools;• Maintaining contact and relationships with Youth Cohort members;• Recruiting new youth; and• Coordinating with CFJC team to submit bi-weekly hoursDevelop and implement the campaigns’ communications strategy, including:• Managing the social media and broader campaign messaging;• Collecting interviews and other stories from system-impacted youth;• Producing and editing audio/visual content for social media; • Writing press releases and other public-facing content;• Maintaining the website;• Maintaining the blog; and• Collaborating and managing the campaigns’ illustratorOrganize campaign events, including:• Representing the campaign at various live events;• Providing public speaking/facilitation coaching and other support to Youth Leaders;• Coordinating with guest speakers; and• Providing technical assistance for virtual eventsWork with the Youth Leadership Team and partner organizations to identify and conceptualize campaign strategiesCultivate and maintain relationships with partner organizations Show less

• 

  Resource Media

  Oct 2021 - Aug 2024

  • Senior Program Director

    Sept 2022 - Aug 2024

  • Program Director

    Oct 2021 - Oct 2022