Helping individuals and communities heal from personal and collective trauma is at the heart of what I do. I make it a priority to pay it forward by offering my skills to help people who need it the most.
I've been honored to volunteer with many International initiatives which you can read about below.
International Service Work
September 2024: Bali, Indonesia
Lotus Circle International
Assistant Teacher for Trauma & Trafficking Training Program
Dawn volunteered as an Assistant Teacher in a trauma-informed training program supporting clinicians working with survivors of sex trafficking and complex trauma. Assisted teachers and participants in small group and experiential learning environments designed to deepen understanding of trauma resolution, nervous system regulation, and compassionate care practices. The program integrated Somatic Experiencing principles with expressive arts and community-based healing approaches.
2016 to Present: SEI - Domestic and International
Teaching Assistant Trauma Trainings and Assistant Teacher for Small Groups
Dawn provided assistance is setting up venues for SE trainings, offered support to teacher and students, Providing Assistant Teacher for small groups/triad groups, helping to further understand and deepening the material being presented. I've volunteered in many states across the US, as well as in South Korea, Japan, Costa Rica and Canada.
2016 to Present: BASE - Domestic and International
Teaching Assistant Trauma Trainings and Assistant Teacher for Small Groups
Providing assistance is setting up venues for SE trainings, Providing support to teacher and students, Providing Assistant Teacher for small groups/triad groups, helping to further understand and deepening the material being presented. I've volunteered in many states across the US and Japan.
2022: MathMoms - Capetown, South Africa (Virtual)
Assisting a Community Trauma Training for Math Moms
Purpose
Creating a safe space where children come to learn math and leave having learned much more. To accompany the women on a journey of self-discovery in which they get to know their own gifts and strengths so that they can take the next step into the future.
Vision
Learner by learner, school by school, community by community, we will improve math results, resulting in an improved economy.
Mission
We will employ the nurturing power of motherly love to find and empower:
- Retired teachers who love math to be mentors.
- Mothers who create a safe place where children can become confident in maths and much more.
- Educators with whom to collaborate.
- Friends who will support our efforts.
Summary
MathMoms Is a women’s initiative, powered by motherly love that builds confident communities – one maths empowered child at a time. The purpose of MathMoms is to contribute to quality education, with the focus on math, for foundation phase learners in previously disadvantaged schools.
2011: Buds to Blossoms - Southeast Asia
https://www.budstoblossoms.org
Through our Pediatric Massage Volunteer Program, Buds to Blossoms brings international teams of volunteers to Kathmandu, Nepal and Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon), Vietnam several times a year. There the volunteers provide pediatric massage and other forms of bodywork to AIDS orphans, children affected by HIV/AIDS, orphans with disabilities, and other disadvantaged children.
2006: Stand Down Event, Northern CA Veterans Administration
Stand Downs are typically one- to three-day events during which VA staff and volunteers provide food, clothing and health screenings to homeless and at-risk Veterans. In addition, Veterans also receive referrals for health care, housing solutions, employment, substance use treatment, mental health counseling and other essential services.