what people say about us
parents WE HAVE SERVED:
We have received many notes of appreciation from parents we have worked with who have thanked us for our wisdom, guidance, experience, strength, kindness, courage, patience, consistency, calm and soothing voices, and caring presences. They have called us blessings to their family, expressing gratitude to us for drawing on our backgrounds as parents and teachers to encourage them to tune in to their children, attempt to see things through the eyes of their children, and to understand and activate the importance of being guides and teachers for their children in learning about relationships and life.
CLIENTS WE HAVE COUNSELED:
Due to the confidential nature of therapeutic relationships, we will share indirectly (rather than through direct quotes) that clients have expressed appreciation for our genuineness, careful listening abilities, sensitivity, perspective, insights, non-judgmental attitudes, sense of humor, suggestions, approach to trauma, grief, loss, and family and relationship dynamics, space to let them grow and experience changes in their own way at their own pace, and tools that allowed them to feel empowered and to move forward in their lives.
co-workers
“I can’t write how much I will miss seeing your always smiling face and hearing your words of wisdom about parenting, home visiting, life! I have so much respect for you and your experiences. Thank you for sharing you with me.” Home Visitor, Oregon
“You should win the prize for the most encouraging person around here.” Receptionist at parent support agency, Oregon
“I’m happy you are working with children . You are blessed with many gifts and talents to share with the world.” Parent Educator, Oregon
“You shed an abundance of light and laughter on the planet.” Home Visitor; Adoption Services; Manager and Trainer/Consultant, Oregon
“Bruce and Katrina, I know you will continue to serve our community with your compassion, generosity of spirit, and hope.” Manager at community mental health agency, Washington State
“You two are such wonderful lights within the agency. I am so glad I have had the privilege to work with such incredible people.” Manager, community mental health agency, Washington State
supervisors
“Bruce and Katrina, Thanks to both of you for leading parenting groups. The parents in your area are very lucky to have you.” Manager at United Way, Oregon
“I appreciate you so much – I am happy to have your loving, peaceful, strong and joyful presence on our staff. You are a gift to us and to all the families whose babies you welcome to the world.” Manager of Home Visitors, Oregon
“It is very apparent how much you care for these families and how well you know what is going on. You are one of the greatest home visitors in the state.” Manager at parent support agency, Oregon
“Your efforts contributed to the success of these programs. Your hard work and dedication along with your caring attitude toward people are the key elements.” Board Member, parent support organization, Oregon
“Thank you for all your good work.” State Commission on Children and Families
“Thank you for your generosity of spirit in volunteering for speaking opportunities this week!! I am so happy to have you. Keep up the great work.” Manager, family support agency in Oregon
“You have made a difference here.” Manager at parent support agency in Oregon
“Thank you for all your generous and thoughtful contributions.” Washington State School Teacher
“Your ability to put things in perspective is such an amazing strength! You are a strong clinician with solid intuition and a wonderful openness to new information.” Director of college counseling center in Washington
“Your energy and commitment to your work and your clients is admirable.” Intern Supervisor, college counseling center in Washington
“Bruce, I appreciate all of your incredible work.” CEO, community mental health agency, Washington State
community collaborators
“Thank you for volunteering. We appreciate your hard work and enthusiasm. This type of community collaboration sends a message to our youth that they are valued and important.” Coordinator of community youth projects in Oregon
“Since Bruce has been Chair of our Budget Committee for 3 years now, we have started and ended meetings on time, and Bruce facilitated artfully, keeping us focused and productive, in his intelligent and good-natured manner.” Public School District Board Budget Committee Member, Oregon
“Bruce always models listening well to people, and makes positive contributions that go straight to the heart of the matter when he does speak.” School Board Member Colleague in Washington State
“Katrina, thank you so much for agreeing to be the banquet speaker for the Honor Society. Your eloquent speech was inspiring and timely. Thank you for sharing the statistics, and for the ten tidbits of wisdom that I am sure reverberated with the kids!” High School Teacher, Oregon
“Your work is so vital in empowering youth to make healthy choices and build themselves the future they want.” Youth Outreach and Education Coordinator, domestic violence service agency in Oregon
people who taught/mentored us
“Katrina is intelligent, warm, caring, wise, sensitive, and lively – all qualities which I believe will help her care for children.” Professor at state college, Washington
“I have been impressed with her sincerity, openness, creativity.” Teacher in Washington State Elementary School
“Katrina is able to easily and effectively communicate and articulate her thoughts, ideas, and insights across differences.” Professor in state college, Washington State
“Beautiful group. I loved it and so did the families it seemed. You caught everyone’s attention. The pacing and presentation of material seemed just right, and everyone was engaged and involved the entire session. You demonstrated lovely facilitation to be supportive of the parents.” Parent Group Supervisor at a parent support organization in Oregon
“I just wanted to thank you for the parent educator training. You did a great job. The volunteers seemed to really enjoy the training; they seemed engaged in the material and were bonding well with each other.” United Way Supervisor, Oregon
“Bruce focuses on the cohesiveness of the group.” Professor in state college, Washington State
people we have trained, mentored or supervised
“The two days was worth it just for their presentation. That workshop was like a retreat for me and provided me with some personal and professional affirmation which I guess I was in need of. They were wonderful and everything after that paled by comparison. We are lucky to have them working for our agency, and since yesterday they have become role models for me.” Oregon Home Visitor remarking on workshop entitled “The Art of Direct Service” at Oregon statewide conference
“Your Presentation was so inspiring, creative and fun as well as reflective on the work that we all do. Would you consider coming and giving the presentation to our staff?” Manager of home visitors in Oregon
“Thank you for being so wonderful and such a great mentor.” Intern at parent support organization, Oregon
“There are so many ways and so many days that your essence of love and levity guide me. Thank you for your mentorship, friendship and sistership.” Kindergarten Assistant, Washington State Elementary School
“I felt at ease. You created such a wonderful learning environment for me and all the families. I greatly appreciate all of your dedication. You are inspiring. Thank you!” University of Oregon Intern who attended parenting group
“Being able to observe the infants group allowed me to see what parents are feeling within the first few weeks and months. It was often emotional listening to their stories, and literally feeling the love they have for their children, and it was amazing. I gained such respect for these parents (and really all parents) and really loved Katrina’s teaching style. Katrina encouraged me to be comfortable and feel like part of the group. I loved debriefing with her after class, and hearing all of the wonderful stories and bits of advice that she has for her groups.” University of Oregon Intern who attended 10-week parent infant group
“Your warmth, welcome and wisdom were just the tonic we needed to help launch our own latest growth. We came back energized and inspired.” Home visitor supervisors, Oregon
“You are so creative! Thank you so much. I’ll go over these ideas with my supervisor today. They are really good – it will be difficult to pick one. Your agency is lucky to have you!” Doctorate Degree Candidate at the University of Oregon
Our Daughter
“Being a parent has made me realize what HARD WORK parenting is! I so appreciate all of the dedicated, hard work you put into raising us! We couldn’t have had better parents – you’re the best!
Our Son
“Thank you for always being there for us and for always being patient, great listeners, advocates, and, most importantly, for being some of the kindest, most selfless people to walk the earth.”
Our Daughter-In-Law
“You two are spectacular grandparents.”
