Thavia A.J. Neysmith(954) 770-4820 | thavia1021@gmail.com
EDUCATION
University of Bridgeport
Bridgeport, CT
Bachelor of Science
December 2022
Affiliations: Caribbean Student Association; Peer Group Connection
Purple Purse – MWC
Fall 2021- December 2022
• Educated members of the community about financial topics including budgeting, managing debt, and
improving credit. Facilitated presentations from guest speakers about obtaining financial security
Real Strength – MWC
• Coordinated and executed events through outreach that promote non-violence by providing mentees
with a skillset that empowers them as active bystanders, allies, and models of healthy relationships
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Meriden-Wallingford Chrysalis
Child Advocate | Meriden, C.T.
April 2022 – December 2022
• Maintained accurate service records and submitted all required reports and statistics in accordance with
CCADV (Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence). Facilitated weekly support and
educational groups for children and adults in the Emergency Shelter and Transitional Living Program
• Collaborated with ETO (Efforts to Outcomes Social Solutions Program) on case management and
managed cases and resident files and provided one-on-one support to residents of the Emergency
Shelter and Transitional Living Program
• Utilized community resources to plan and facilitate field trips and furthered community education in
primary prevention programs such as Real Strength for Intimate Partner Violence within youth
Transitional Living/Domestic Violence Advocate | Meriden, C.T.
July 2020 – April 2022
• Conducted Universal Domestic Violence Shelter intake, processed intimate partner violence risk
assessments, and processed LAP (Lethality Assessment Program) calls with local law enforcement.
• Provided case management, crisis intervention, individual guidance, advocacy, referrals and
empowerment support services to clients and their children both on and off site while upholding the
confidential nature of communication with clients, while balancing responsibilities of mandatory
reporting
• Coordinated with Family Violence Victim Advocate on protective orders, court referrals, and victims c
compensation. Researched housing and employment opportunities for clients and assisted with
financial planning and budgeting
YMCA
Meriden, C.T.
Head Teacher
December 2021 – December 2022
• Developed and maintained high quality programming for toddler and preschool ages 2+. Fostered a
safe and welcoming space while implementing NAEYC code of conduct
SKILLS & INTERESTS
Language: Jamaican Patois
Interests: Painting & drawing, cooking, and yoga
Growing up as an African American female from the Caribbean in today’s society, I often felt
alone due to me not being able to truly express my emotions without the feeling of being
ridiculed. Due to my personal experience with managing and expressing emotions, I then became
closed off and desensitized. I often had friends that were battling with their emotions, and they
weren’t comfortable enough to disclose to me their feelings or experiences. It was at this time
that I realized I wouldn’t want to do that to my past self, nor would I want anyone else to
experience these negative feelings associated with expressing their emotions and feelings. Upon
having this reflection, I vowed to dedicate my career and life to a career where I am assisting
people with having that safe space.
In the midst of an uprising in the pandemic, I found myself connecting with an advocate who
was working at Meriden Wallingford Chrysalis located in Meriden, Connecticut. Upon
connecting with the advocate and allowing her to express the duties involved in the field, I was
then encouraged and opened the doorway to working at Chrysalis.
During this time I found myself providing support to others during a global pandemic, allowing
them to disclose information which assisted in safety planning for themselves and families, and
most importantly began advocating for themselves. Upon seeing many families come into shelter
and how their children interacted, I then began taking an interest in early childhood resources
and information to best assist the families in our program. I was employed at both MW Chrysalis
and the YMCA as a head teacher, where my goal is to continue increasing my knowledge on
early childhood, effectively communicating, and helping children regulate their emotions. I am
now employed at The Floortime Center in Silver Spring, MD to expand my knowledge in
understanding development.
Overall, my academic objective would be to acquire the tools needed to continue my
professional development in order to thoroughly understand and educate on topics such as the
brain, nature vs nurture and healthy communication/habits.
Furthering my education at George Washington University, would provide the necessary
knowledge and skills to develop as a Mental Health Counselor. Pursuing my masters in
Counseling, Clinical and Mental Health will take me one step closer to being a listening ear and
offering assistance/resources, whilst bringing awareness to others.
EDUCATION
University of Bridgeport
Bachelor of Science
Bridgeport, CT
December 2022
Affiliations: Caribbean Student Association; Peer Group Connection
Purple Purse – MWC
Fall 2021
● Educated members of the community about financial topics including budgeting, managing debt, and
improving credit. Facilitated presentations from guest speakers about obtaining financial security
Real Strength – MWC
● Coordinated and executed events through outreach that promote non-violence by providing mentees
with a skillset that empowers them as active bystanders, allies and models of healthy relationships
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Meriden-Wallingford Chrysalis
Child Advocate | Meriden, C.T.
April 2022 – December 2022
● Maintained accurate service records and submitted all required reports and statistics in accordance with
CCADV (Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence). Facilitated weekly support and
educational groups for children and adults in the Emergency Shelter and Transitional Living Program
● Collaborated with ETO (Efforts to Outcomes Social Solutions Program) on case management and
managed cases and resident files and provided one-on-one support to residents of the Emergency
Shelter and Transitional Living Program
● Utilized community resources to plan and facilitate field trips and furthered community education in
primary prevention programs such as Real Strength for Intimate Partner Violence within youth
Transitional Living/Domestic Violence Advocate | Meriden, C.T.
July 2020 – April 2022
● Conducted Universal Domestic Violence Shelter intake, processed intimate partner violence risk
assessments, and processed LAP (Lethality Assessment Program) calls with local law enforcement
● Provided case management, crisis intervention, individual guidance, advocacy, referrals and
empowerment support services to clients and their children both on and off site while upholding the
confidential nature of communication with clients, while balancing responsibilities of mandatory
reporting
● Coordinated with Family Violence Victim Advocate on protective orders, court referrals, and victims c
compensation. Researched housing and employment opportunities for clients and assisted with
financial planning and budgeting
YMCA
Meriden, C.T.
Head Teacher
December 2021 – December 2022
● Developed and maintained high quality programming for toddler and preschool ages 2+. Fostered a
safe and welcoming space while implementing NAEYC code of conduct
SKILLS & INTERESTS
Language: Jamaican Patois
Interests: Painting & drawing, cooking, and yoga
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