tara artesi

Conduct legal research and writing, assist attorneys in case preparation, and appear on behalf of clients in court pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:21-3(b) for bail reduction hearings and sentencings.

Planned overall communications strategy to promote organization and programs, including: the Violence Intervention Program, Home to Work for Displaced Homemakers, and the Child Care Network. Handled all public relations activities including serving as media contact, pitching stories to local media, writing news releases and public service announcements. Responsible for all marketing materials, and website. Managed all fundraising efforts including annual campaigns, employee campaigns, and special events.

Coordinated $1.5 million capital campaign under supervision of marketing director and Ketchum, Inc., a fund raising consulting group.

Helped staff Legal Services of New Jersey’s hotline which provides free legal assistance to low-income New Jerseyans for their civil legal problems. Advised callers regarding basic child support, custody, and parenting time issues under supervision of staff attorneys.

Worked with director to establish new 501(c)(3) supporting organization to raise funds for NJ Sharing Network to support their mission of saving lives through organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Worked with director to complete essential start-up activities: drafted bylaws and articles of incorporation, filed appropriate tax documents, formed board of trustees, and developed vision, mission statement, strategic plan, and budget. Wrote organization's first grant proposal and secured over $80,000 for creation of High School Heroes, an organ donation education program designed to comply with 2008 legislation mandating that NJ high schools include information about donation in the curriculum. Supervised program staff and oversaw successful development and implementation of program.

New Jersey Workplace Partnership for Life – a three-year, $1.7 million research project in partnership with Purdue University to examine the most effective methods to promote organ donation in the workplace. Funded by the US Dept. of Health and Human Services, this project is the largest study of promoting organ donation in the workplace in US history. Identified, cultivated, and recruited 45 companies of varying size (50-6,000) and type (corporate, government, manufacturing, and medical) to participate in project. Worked closely with each company to design and implement 10-week employee education campaigns. Managed day-to-day responsibilities of campaign staff and volunteers, and participated in onsite education events at all companies. Coordinated with telephone research firm and project companies to conduct pre- and post-campaign surveys to evaluate changes in employee knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward organ donation.

Identified and recruited over 50 companies (separate from those recruited for research project above) to participate in basic worksite education programs to promote organ and tissue donation. Conducted dozens of onsite education programs including lunch-and-learn presentations and information table events. Served as member of public affairs department responsible for assisting with writing, designing, editing, and updating of print and electronic materials. Represented department for media inquiries and speaking opportunities, and participated in community education programs, fund raising, and special events.

Provided administrative support to director of Best Chance Network, program that provides free breast and cervical cancer screening for medically underserved women in South Carolina.

LSNWJLegal Services of Northwest Jersey is a nonprofit law firm serving low-income people residing in Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex and Warren Counties. The work of LSNWJ is vital to the efforts of low-income individuals to maintain safe and affordable housing, gain sustainable income to escape the ravages of poverty, access quality health care, secure family stability and personal safety, and live with dignity in the community. In 2015, 96% of clients provided with legal representation by LSNWJ pursued legal remedies and 87% were successful in meeting their essential needs.For more info, visit us here: www.lsnwj.org