Mai M. Townsend

Youth Development and community engagement professional with 5+ years of experience supporting transition-age youth, foster youth, and families through trauma-informed, strengths-based programming. Skilled in case management, program coordination, youth advocacy, community partnerships, and social emotional learning across nonprofit and educational settings. Focused on improving educational access and long-term outcomes for underserved communities.

ILSP Youth Specialist - First Place for Youth, SF ILSP - San Francisco, CA

(2025-09)

• Provides intensive case management and individualized support for transition-age foster youth, across education, employment, housing, relationships, and independent living goals.
• Support career readiness through resume development, job applications, interview preparation, and employment planning.
• Coordinate wraparound services with schools, behavioral health providers, and community patterns while maintaining documentation, progress tracking, and compliance reporting.

Outreach Coordinator - PRO Youth and Families - Sacramento, CA

(2023-10 - 2025-06)

• Built and maintained partnerships with schools, community organizations, and stakeholders to strengthen outreach and increase program engagement.
• Coordinated regional programming, scheduling, and service delivery across multiple sites to support consistent implementation.
• Supported federal grant reporting, documentation, and administrative operations while collaborating with leadership to improve program efficiency and community impact.

Program Coordinator - PRO Youth and Families - Sacramento, CA

(2023-08 - 2023-10)

• Facilitated youth programs focused on emotional regulation, resilience, conflict resolution, and social-emotional learning.
• Built collaborative relationships with school staff and community partners to strengthen engagement and program accessibility.
• Supported program implementation, reporting, and operational coordination to improve service delivery.

Youth Advocate - Heartland Child & Family Services - Sacramento, CA

(2023-02 - 2023-08)

• Provided trauma-informed coaching and mentorship to youth and families to support emotional growth and positive behavioral outcomes.
• Built trust-based relationships through consistent advocacy, consistent support, and culturally responsive practices.
• Collaborated with behavioral health staff and external providers to coordinate care while maintaining accurate case documentation and billing compliance records.

Advocate - Shine Together Inc. - Sacramento, CA

(2021-07 - 2023-02)

• Supported young mothers using a two-generation, trauma-informed approach focused on family stability and youth development.
• Managed a 15:1 caseload while providing bi-weekly coaching, academic support, and post-secondary planning.
• Collaborated across departments to coordinate comprehensive family support services, and improve program outcomes.

Peer Counselor - RAMS Inc. - San Francisco, CA

(2019-12 - 2021-07)

• Supported youth navigating educational, behavioral health, and employment-related challenges through individualized advocacy and mentorship.
• Built trust-based relationships with youth and families using lived experience and trauma-informed practices.
• Coordinated care through collaboration, including Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings and court-related support, while managing a 7:1 caseload, individualize plans, and documentation.

Bachelor of Arts - Sociology - California State University, Sacramento (2021-01 - 2024-01)

Associate of Science - Sociology - City College of San Francisco (2017-08 - 2020-07)