Koren has volunteered her time at:

 
 
The Twin Cities-Chicago AIDS Ride
One of the most amazing experiences in my life was the time I spent volunteering for the Twin Cities-Chicago AIDS Ride. I was part of the massage crew, a group of talented and dedicated healers, who donated their hands to make sure the riders on this event were taken care of as they raised money for AIDS awareness and support.
The health and well being of the riders and crew was my complete focus for those six days. Early mornings and late nights were filled with smiles and laughter, hugs and tears as people expressed their personal reasons for being part of The AIDS Ride.

This is a Gallery of messages from riders at the AIDS Ride

Use the buttons to start or advance the slideshow
Why did I do it?
My work in the AIDS community has taken me down a long road of emotions. I felt drawn to The AIDS Ride because I was impressed by the dedication of the riders. The people who take the AIDS Ride journey on the bycycles push their mental and physical limits for many different reasons. Many have lost loved ones becaues of this disease. Others are living with the disease themselves and the reasons they ride countless. To be a part of a team supporting the riders was an honor.
This was also a lesson in selflessness. I had to let go of my fears, pain and discomforts to perform my responsibilities as a member of the massage crew. Being part of a this even tis something I will never forget.

"My Crew" I'm 3rd from the left in the back row

This is what the tent city looked like. Soon all the grass would be covered by tents

The front of the massage tent.

Happy Riders!


The gentleman in the purple shirt was my first session on this trip. he was from Texas

Riders were on each side as the crew came down the center aisle


The party at the end on the ride in downtown Chicago

Not only did we work in the rain, we survived a tornado!


Two members of my crew, sunburned and smiling

 
 

 
 
The Names Project

The Names Project is a breathtaking display of love and loss. Three feet by six feet quilt panels created to honor someone who has died because of AIDS come together to form a giant patchwork quilt.
(click an image to enlarge)

There were panels from all over the World


This panel was made up from notes written to an elementary teacher by her students


This panel shows how AIDS effets everyone, he was two years younger than me...

Here is a picture of what the large panels looked like
I worked as part of a group to bring The Names Project to Portland, Oregon. Part of my job was to bring sections of the Quilt to churches, corporations and community events to raise awareness of AIDS and the Quilt as well as to fund raise.

The other part of my job with the Names Project was to serve as a tour guide, brining groups of people through the grid of the Quilt once it was set up for display. I also helped people locate specific panels belonging to their loved ones.

This panel touched my heart. The man on the Quilt was homeless and yet he worked at a shelter for the homeless

This photograph does not do the detailed artwork on this panel justice... it is beautiful

Why did I do this? I strongly believe that the personal lives of people we love need to be celebrated after their passing so we can begin our healing. The Names Project gave people that opportunity in a powerful and creative way. I became part of The Names Project to raise awareness that the AIDS epidemic has a personal side to it that must be taken to heart.
 
 

 
 

The Idaho AIDS Project

The Idaho AIDS Project was a huge personal challenge to me. Addressing the subject of AIDS in the 80s was tough. Addressing it in Idaho was really tough. Amazing things happened at the Idaho AIDS Project, where I served as a board member as well as a volunteer. We started a state wide hotline to answer questions about HIV and AIDS. Food voucher programs and volunteer services were created to address the basic needs of our clients. Needle exchange programs and safer sex programs teaching correct condom use hit the streets.
Shortly before my move to Oregon, our office was vandalized and burned to the ground. With the help of our volunteers and the community of Boise, Id, the Idaho AIDS Project rose like a phoenix to continue meeting the needs of our clients.
Why did I do this? I had just moved from Phoenix, AZ where I was part of an underground movement to provide massage services to people with HIV and AIDS. When I moved to Idaho, I found the need for these services to be great. I joined Idaho AIDS Project to bring the benefits of touch into focus and I became part of an amazing community.

  
 

 
 

RACE FOR A CURE

I lost my father to an aggressive form of bone cancer. I also have fought cancer on a more personal level, after finding a lump in my breast, and having a large part of my breast removed. I have donated my skills as a massage therapist to Race For The Cure to support cancer research as well as to support people living with cancer.
Hearing the personal stories of survivors and those still fighting the battle against cancer is as inspirational as it is heartbreaking. Watching my own father fight the battle twice. and knowing the decisions I had to make after my own diagnosis made me realize that more services are needed to help those living with cancer.

  
 

 
 

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

As a massage student, I was asked to volunteer on the massage crew for Special Olympics. This was an event that changed my perspective on just how powerful touch is. My crew worked on athletes of all ages, preparing them for their events and celebrating their success. I have never felt such excitement and such gratitude.
Since my first experience with Special Olympics, I have served on numerous massage crews supporting these inspiring athletes.

  
 

 
 

METHODIST HOSPITALS, Park Nicollet Systems

I recently became a volunteer at an inpatient treatment center trough Methodist Hospitals. I work directly with women living with eating disorders. Twice a month I lead Hula Hoop and Belly Dance sessions as part of their movement therapy.
Hula Hooping is an empowering form of exercise. It is inspiring women in this center to love themelves and their bodies. During our sessions together, the women in the center learn about how their bodies move through simple belly dance isolations in our warm up. When we begin Hoop Dancing, they learn a new way of listening to their bdies as they respond to the movement of the hoop. Activities are incorporated, not only to practice the hoop moves, but to build community within the center. We end our session with a relaxing cool down.
Being a part of this project has been inspirational and educational to me. I've learned so much about the conditions these women live with each day, and watching them respond to their bodies as we dance, only emphasizes the importance of hoop dance as a healing modality.

  
 

 
 

HELPING PAWS

Helping Paws is an orginization that trains helper dogs and places them with individuals who need the services the dogs provide. To watch these dogs in action is like watching a beautifully tuned machine. Their love and dedication to the peple they serve is proof that a dog is "man's best friend".

I have provided chair massage during fund raising golf events to Helping Paws, where I was strategically stationed next to 'the puppy kissing booth'.

  
 

 
 

Adventures in Art

With all the cuts in school funding, the arts in our school have taken a big hit. Volunteering my time for Adventures in Art helped to bring the arts directly to elementary students. I received training throughThe Institute of Art in Minneapoli, MN before going into te classroom of elementary schools. I showed beautiful photo reproductions of different pieces of art at the institute, and engaged the students in conversation about the piece, it's creator and the meaning beind the work. I then lead the students in creating art projects themselves.
Insiring children to express themselves through art has been an incredible and rewarding experience.

  
 

 
 

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

I became part of the Neighbors Heling Neiborghs program through my work at Breathing Room. Breathing Room donates sessions with its practitioners to patients or Mercy Unity's treatment center. My skills in massage, reflexology and Reiki have been implemented as part of the healing treatment plans for those patients.