Donna Riemer has given me hope that no matter how desperate the situation, or how serious the trauma or mental illness, we can find ways to create a sanctuary in which to heal ourselves and others and become a true community of care.  Through the use of specific, teachable skills and programs, she has done what many would have considered impossible- reduced by over 95% in a short period of time (3 years), the incidents of violence in therapeutic situations which deal exclusively with those considered the most violentet, dangerous, and "intractable"

members of our society.  If she can do it in her situation, then there is surely no excuse for the rest of us and I look to her work for the skills I use to make my own home, and all of the communities in which I work,  "sanctuaries" of hope, healing and peace.- Mary Kay Reinemann

                                                                                                       Integral Communication

                                                                                                      mkreinem@charter.net

                                                                                                      

I had the pleasure of hearing Ms. Riemer speak about creating sanctuary at the Mid Valley Women's Crisis Center, in Salem, Oregon. I found her to be a very motivational, inspirational, and dynamic speaker. I am left feeling very hopeful that if sanctuary is possible in forensics, then there is not only hope for our clients, but also for staff facilitators in our community offender intervention based setting.    Barb Carter, BSBA, CADC II, Asst. Manager NWIE., Inc

It has been my great pleasure to meet Donna and experience her practical compassion.  In a presentation to my graduate seminar, Donna had data to support how her treatment team utilized Nonviolent Communication Skills (based on the work of Marshall Rosenberg, PhD), in their unit programming. This programming significantly reduced violence and the need for more restrictive interventions such as seclusion and restraints for patients residing in a medium security forensic psychiatric hospital unit.  Donna is a powerful healer and knows how to teach her healing skills to others. I am deeply respectful and appreciative of her generosity and compassion.               Connie Mudore,MS, LPC Counselor,

                                        American Red Cross National Disaster Responder

                                           Masters of Public Health Candidate

                                          School of Medicine and Public Health Candidate, UW, Madison

Donna Riemer is a shining example of how one person can make a difference in the lives of many.  PAVE: Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment honored her work in the vast reduction of violence in medium and maximum security forensic hospital units.  Her ground -breaking work is a model for others to adopt not only nationally, but globally as well.  We are proud to have her on our leadership team and look forward to our continued work together.

                                                    Angela Rose, PAVE Founder and Executive Director

                                                   Promoting Awareness,Victim Empowerment

                                                    www.PavingTheWay.net

Donna's energy and enthusiasm are infectious!  She will instill hope in all learners that you too can improve safety, care, and satisfaction in your environment.  C. Solms, RN-BSN