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Talitha Abramsen

Experienced Facilitator, Trainer, & Communicator. Community Builder, Relational Activist, and Social Justice Advocate

West Harwich (02671) United States (Massachusetts)
Professional Status
Consultant
Open to opportunities
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Assisting homeowners in the Lower and Outer Cape who are inquiring about building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) with feasibility research, resources and incentives.
  • Developed town-specific templates for feasibility reports that were graphically designed, curated to each town's bylaws, and offered homeowners' property and town specific data and next steps.
  • Developed relationships with municipal staff in health, housing, planning and building departments for 8 Lower and Outer Cape towns.
  • Researched national trends and ADU pioneers and shared those promising practices around building code, funding sources, energy efficiency, bylaw changes, green buildings, wastewater eco-alternatives with town staff and homeowners.
  • Led VIPee tours with builders, community housing advocates, town employees and others to learn about innovative/alternative septic systems, eco-sanitation, urine pasteurization by visiting the county-led alternative septic system technology center, and local non-profit that educates homeowners about eco-sanitation.
  • Tripled attendance at local community informational sessions about ADUs.
  • Garnered media opportunities regarding ADUs, common barriers to building on Cape and Eco-sanitation, via radio segments, podcasts, and in-person panels.
  • Update and manage Lower Cape Housing and ADU Resource Center website and related resource lists.
  • Oversaw daily management of Brain Balance After-School Center.
  • Managed 12 full and part time program staff and schedules.
  • Met with prospective and enrolled families to review assessment and program results.
  • Supervised and set marketing and recruitment goals.
  • Presented about program to the larger community.
  • Created and facilitated event for visibility and marketing.
  • Acted as and trained other staff to be liaison to the schools.
  • Developed marketing and educational materials, many of which were adopted by or influenced national marketing and programming.
  • Managed social media marketing and presence.
  • Responsible for design of building interior.
  • Responsible for meeting monthly goals in program enrollment and tuition by selling $6k- $18k tuition programs.
Company Description
The Brain Balance Program® is the most comprehensive approach to overcoming the symptoms of ADHD, learning disabilities, processing disorders, Asperger syndrome, and a host of other related childhood learning and developmental issues. Our cutting-edge, integrated approach combines three core modalities into one program. This leads to the most effective, lasting results while saving time and minimizing stress for you and your child. To replicate our program on your own, you would, at a minimum, have to visit a host of individual practitioners and spend hours coordinating their efforts— not to mention the tens of thousands of dollars it would cost. All of these efforts would still not replicate the uniqueness nor the results of this program!

An Integrated Approach
Based on the results of your child’s individualized assessment, we create a program tailored specifically to your child’s unique needs. Each child’s program includes sensory motor training and stimulation and cognitive and academic activity plans coupled with nutritional testing and easy-to-follow dietary guidelines. This unique integrated approach is key to what makes Brain Balance different and so effective. The carefully structured and coordinated combination of program elements helps establish proper brain and body function leading to a reduction or elimination of negative symptoms and behaviors, and improves the ability to learn, academically, socially and emotionally.

Each of these pillars of brain development plays an important role in improving a child’s ability to learn and behave at an age-appropriate level. By integrating physical and cognitive exercises with dietary changes, we are able to correct the underlying imbalance and achieve measurable, long-term changes in your child’s behavior and academic performance. Further, to build on progress made in-center we create a supplemental, in-home program including nutritional guidelines that you can easily implement to further your child’s accomplishments.
Company website
  • Scored intake educational assessment materials.
  • Scheduled all incoming assessments and program appointments for prospective and enrolled families.
  • Handled revenue and expenses on a monthly basis and corporate reporting.
  • Liaison to marketing and advertising vendors, and was responsible for directing the creation of ads with graphic designer, before corporate hired a marketing director.
  • Scheduled weekly events calendar for the year, including public presentations out in the community, and family/community outreach.
  • Managed all activities at front desk for center, including answering all incoming inquiry calls and managing data on inquiry to assessment to enrollment process.
Company Description
The Brain Balance Program® is the most comprehensive approach to overcoming the symptoms of ADHD, learning disabilities, processing disorders, Asperger syndrome, and a host of other related childhood learning and developmental issues. Our cutting-edge, integrated approach combines three core modalities into one program. This leads to the most effective, lasting results while saving time and minimizing stress for you and your child. To replicate our program on your own, you would, at a minimum, have to visit a host of individual practitioners and spend hours coordinating their efforts— not to mention the tens of thousands of dollars it would cost. All of these efforts would still not replicate the uniqueness nor the results of this program!

An Integrated Approach
Based on the results of your child’s individualized assessment, we create a program tailored specifically to your child’s unique needs. Each child’s program includes sensory motor training and stimulation and cognitive and academic activity plans coupled with nutritional testing and easy-to-follow dietary guidelines. This unique integrated approach is key to what makes Brain Balance different and so effective. The carefully structured and coordinated combination of program elements helps establish proper brain and body function leading to a reduction or elimination of negative symptoms and behaviors, and improves the ability to learn, academically, socially and emotionally.

Each of these pillars of brain development plays an important role in improving a child’s ability to learn and behave at an age-appropriate level. By integrating physical and cognitive exercises with dietary changes, we are able to correct the underlying imbalance and achieve measurable, long-term changes in your child’s behavior and academic performance. Further, to build on progress made in-center we create a supplemental, in-home program including nutritional guidelines that you can easily implement to further your child’s accomplishments.
Company website
  • Created Weekly Lectures and Event Calendar for Center Director to engage with parents and educators across Connecticut River Valley (CT and MA)
  • Created Event Set-Up List of items and steps for each lecture.
  • Accompanied Center Director to each event, as event facilitator, and subbed for CD if ill.
  • Edited and added to PPT presentation
  • Met with community organizations and leaders to discuss BB and common areas of interests and possible collaborations.

Consultant, Facilitator, Change & Leadership Coach

Chaordicmaven
Since January 2001
Consultant
Holyoke
United States - Massachusetts
  • Offered tailored consulting around organizational development, community building, group facilitation, meeting agendas, and communication with a wide range of constituencies to small-medium non-profits and their leaders, educational institutions, community groups and political campaigns.

    CLIENTS & COLLABORATIONS:
  • Northern Berkshire Community Coalition: Youth Summit
  • YWCA New England Regional Council
  • Springfield Trauma Prevention Coalition/Gandara Center
  • IAm Business Consulting
  • Brain Balance Achievement Center
  • Gandara Center, STOP ACCESS Springfield, Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition
  • YWCA Springfield
  • Springfield College
  • Amherst Public Schools
  • Northwestern District Attorney's Office
  • Whitebrook Middle School
  • Imagine Philanthropy
  • Amherst College: Advancement Department
  • C.R.U.S.H. Community Meeting - Citizens for the Revitalization and Urban Success of Holyoke.
  • City of Holyoke - Mayor Morse's Transition Conference
  • Alex Morse for Mayor Campaign, Holyoke, MA
  • Project lead for statewide (nationally recognized) educational initiative
  • Managed $734,000 budget for statewide educational network
  • Led annual legislative process to successfully secure funding for 3 years in state budget
  • Coordinated professional development and technical assistance for network of 20 dynamic, seasoned professionals for 6 years
  • Integrated web 2.0 technology such as online learning communities, virtual hard drives, wiki's, Skype to advance learning and communication across network
  • Led a redesign of the network's statewide branding and image, including new logo, graphically designed format for the annual report, marketing materials, etc.
  • Liaisoned with state agency leaders, school district superintendents, and other key education, workforce development and municipal leaders to cultivate and leverage partnerships
  • Coached President of Commonwealth Corporation in effective meeting design and facilitative leadership principles in order to establish and sustain new company-wide Senior Management Team.
  • Supported Vice President in division-wide strategic planning processes, meeting design, and hiring processes.
  • Managed Regional Partnership Strategy Pilot working group; facilitated cross-department meetings on a monthly basis, managed content, and interfaced with the President, pilot project staff and others to ensure alignment of outcomes and goals.
Company Description
At Commonwealth Corporation, our approach to education and workforce development is strategically focused, outcome based, and results driven. We achieve this by understanding and addressing employer needs for a twenty-first century workforce, and people's needs for stronger skills and better jobs. The hallmark of Commonwealth Corporation is a workplace culture that values each employee's unique contribution to the analysis of problems and crafting of unique solutions. We are deeply committed to high standards and rigor, and will be forever seeking new ways to make data useful to our partners.

We help our partners by

  • identifying critical needs through research and evaluation
  • delivering effective solutions through demonstration projects
  • sharing promising practices through documentation

Our team is comprised of educators, facilitators, researchers, youth development experts, career counselors, and industry specialists who work with our partners to solve their workforce challenges. We foster an environment where we learn from one another and share the promising practices that emerge from our flagship programs. We create a lasting impact by empowering our partners to invest in the sustainability of these programs and take the lead in carrying the work forward. Those who work at Commonwealth Corporation are mission-driven and committed to becoming an organization as diverse as the communities we serve.
Company website
  • Led annual legislative process to successfully secure funding in state budget
  • Handled rebranding of the CS2 Statewide network
  • Site Liaison to several school districts offering tailored technical assistance and training
  • Chaired division-wide "Social Justice and Equity" Committee that trained youth development staff internally.
  • Set up new office space for western Massachusetts satellite office.
  • Conducted project based research and provided event coordination & facilitation as required by other team members.
Company Description
Full-Time, Northampton, MA
Company website
  • Wrote grants that secured initial funding for renovations to a historic firehouse that eventually became MEF's permanent headquarters.
  • Created first organizational database of grant-makers related to MEF's mission and current facility project.
  • Conducted extensive grant funding research online and at local grant maker library.
  • Envisioned and executed collaborative community events to showcase MEF's work, and introduce the community to the firehouse building and its reuse.
  • Developed copy for and helped edit MEF website redesign, and print materials for marketing.
  • Provided feedback on rough cuts of documentaries
  • Created and helped design (A/V, floor plan, enlisting consultants in the community) the community's first handicapped-accessible multipurpose meeting room that doubled as the organization's cinema to premiere rough cuts and new documentaries.
  • Secured funding for handicap-accessible technology for multipurpose meeting room.
  • Participated on various hiring committees for incoming staff and new positions.
Company Description
Media Education Foundation produces and distributes documentary films and other educational resources to inspire critical thinking about the social, political, and cultural impact of American mass media.
Company website
  • Customer Service - greeted customers, answered questions, handled correspondence with owner, processed purchases averaging $1200 daily.
  • Marketing - Proposed and completed window art to take advantage of large marketing real estate on building, to draw customers eyes in.
  • Merchandising - Developed creative ways to display art and showcase items for sale.
  • www.fishayetrading.com

Temporary Administrative Assistant - Harwich Town Cultural Center

Town of Harwich- Cultural Center (now "The 204")
January 2022 to July 2022
  • Handled incoming rent for 44 artist studios
  • Created new internal systems and communication channels for town and tenants, including spreadsheets, newsletters, mailboxes, etc.
  • Redesigned front entrance to both educate the public about the building's use and town's vision for its future and to showcase the 44 artists who work within The 204.
  • Scheduled and handled payments and insurance/background checks for both incoming tenants and pop-up shop artisan sheds at another location in town.
  • Worked with Executive Director of local Chamber of Commerce to organize a public event/open studios/art exhibit that successfully attracted over 125 town residents to enter and learn about the building.
  • Cultivated community among the largest group of artists, makers and creatives on the Cape.
  • www.204Sisson.com
  • Renovated a former neighborhood barber shop/vintage storefront into a healing and learning center for neighbors and citizens. The space was occupied by a therapist, a chiropractor and an artist/creative "maker".
  • Workshops on a variety of topics were held including: Naturopathic Remedies for Children, How to Reduce Stress, The Core Harmonizer. Neighbors participated in the renovation and upkeep of the space by donating time, skills or furniture.
  • A Community Little Free Library was established on the exterior of the Hive to further the mission of education and healing through neighbor exchanges.
  • I work with clients across the country who find themselves at a crossroads in life and are searching for support and guidance in how to proceed. I analyze their astrological birth chart and provide context and clarity about their current situation, and enjoy teaching them about how to understand their own chart.
  • www.MommaTAstrology.com
Detailed Description
  • Completed Level 1 of Debra Silverman's Online Astrological Training
  • Studied with Astrologer Debbie Chase, Holyoke, MA
  • Mentored by Astrologer Malena Metz, Boseman, Montana
  • Intensive Self-Study for 5 + years

Personal Assistant

Chaordicmaven
Since September 2022
  • Personal Assistant to local artists, artisans, makers and creatives. Providing per diem support with studio redesign, space organizing, technology assistance, presentation development, graphic design, marketing, connecting with local galleries.
  • Companion and Driver for elders in the community. Providing on-demand transportation and companionship for various senior citizens needing trips to the post office, movies, social outings, and help with technology.