Affiliations and Memberships
MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Sage Institute for Creativity and Consciousness
Taos, New Mexico
“Sage Institute is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to discovering creative, conscious solutions for the many issues that face today’s world. We offer programs, courses and events focused on contemplative, meditative, and mindfulness practices, as well as sacred activism, yoga, creative writing and the arts. We believe in consciousness, creativity, and meditation as vehicles for personal and political transformation in our world.”
Dora has served as member of the Board of Directors of Sage Institute since 2008, along with award-winning writers and teachers Sean Murphy and Mirabai Starr. Our Advisory Board includes Ram Dass (Emeritus), Natalie Goldberg, Andrew Harvey, Sharon Salzberg, John Nichols, Jo Ann Barefoot and Father William Hart McNichols, among others.
Paws for Empowerment, Victim Assistance Canine Advocacy Program
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Established by Crisis Center North in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania in 2011, the PAWS FOR EMPOWERMENT program is a nationally-recognized, award-winning program that employs both canine and feline advocates in animal assisted therapy, legal advocacy, and courtroom accompaniment for survivors of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Canine advocates, Penny, Ari, and Rune, along with feline advocate, Thea, provide animal-assisted therapy support to help clients better express their emotions, facilitate healing and manage their court appearances and testimony. PAWS also serves to educate veterinarians and animal service providers addressing the intersection between animal abuse and Intimate Partner Violence, as well as assisting with emergency animal care stipends for pets of families impacted by Domestic Violence.
In 2017, PAWS FOR EMPOWERMENT was awarded the prestigious Pennsylvania Governor’s Pathfinder Award as outstanding Program serving victims of violence. In 2016, the program’s Canine Advocacy Advisory Board was formed with leaders in the fields of victim services and canine-assisted therapy to provide expert resources and enhanced awareness.
Dora has served as a Member of the PAWS Advisory Board since its formation in 2016, and is responsible for the PAWS FOR EMPOWERMENT program name.
https://www.crisiscenternorth.org/services/paws-for-empowerment
- State Honors Dog Therapy Program That Helps Domestic Violence Victims, by Karen Kadilak
- In Pittsburgh Courtrooms, This Soothing Dog Is A Therapist And Victim Advocate, by Natasha Lindstrom
The Council for Hope and Healing
State College, Pennsylvania
“The Council for Hope and Healing was formed in 2012 to use interactive art to create awareness and educate society about sexual abuse and the essential need for prevention. Our goal is to use art to empower and inspire individuals to take action. We are committed to promoting principles to help guide individuals and communities to protect children.”
Dora has served as a member since the Council’s formation in 2012.
MEMBER, ORGANIZATION:
- Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP): Member, 2009 – 2015
- Spirit of the Muse of the Southwest (SOMOS), Taos, New Mexico:
- Member: 2002-2014
- Mentor: Youth Mentorship Program, 2007
- The New Mexico State Poetry Society: Member, 2012 – 2013
- The Public Scholarship Program, Penn State University, Associate, 2005 – 2006
- Performance Studies International (PSI): Member, 2003-2006
- Eastern Communication Association (ECA): Member, 2002-2006
- Poetry Slam Incorporated, Member, 2002 – 2005
- Spring Creek, Pennsylvania Youth Slam Team, Slam Master, 2001 – 2005
- National Communication Association (NCA): Member, varying periods since 1990
CO-DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER:
- WORDSTOCK: State College Pennsylvania’s Annual Festival of Language
Dora served as Co-Founder and Co-Director between 2000 – 2005
- The Women of Courage of Centre County, Pennsylvania
Dora served as Co-Founder and Co-Director between 2000 – 2004
- The World Poetry Circus, Taos, New Mexico
Dora served as Co-Director with Erin Bad Hand and James Nave from 2003 – 2005.