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Odyssey Quest, Inc. Empowering individuals on their personal paths to wellness, self-healing, and spiritual wholeness |
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Odyssey Quest, Inc. Empowering individuals on their personal paths to wellness, self-healing, and spiritual wholeness |
Druis is an educator, performance artist, activist and humanistic facilitator with over 25 years experience in the fields of arts-in-education, humanistic community development, after-school education, creative writing, lecturing and the production of public programs. As a teaching artist Ms. Beasley offers Arts-in-Education residencies, which are intensive, creative learning experiences that integrate the performing and literary arts with the humanities. Residencies are interdisciplinary, thematic, and tailored to the educational goals of the participating teachers, and the learning styles of the students.
As a humanistic facilitator, Druis utilizes her expertise in group dynamics; cultural diversity; and, education and training to promote creative approaches to living and working. By acknowledging the many facets of an individual, community and organization along with creating an environment that supports a process of personal growth and development, humanistic facilitation enables participants to access methods for success and continual productivity. Programs includes workshops in mythology, multiculturalism, creative learning, personal development, and Spirit Circles, which are facilitated group discussions on issues of personal and community ethics.
As a performance artist Ms. Beasley's background is extensive. She has co-founded a number of performance collectives including the New World African Music Collective, WEMBA, a Trans-African Ensemble, and the Sisters of Color Writing Collective, which is a non-profit writing and performance art organization with chapters in Albany, New York and Detroit, Michigan.
Druis has a BA in American History from Hunter College, has done extensive graduate study in African American Literature and Humanistic Studies at the University at Albany, and Education Methods at the Queens College School of Education. Her artistic training includes African and Afro-Haitian Dance, Ballet, Dance Language, African Percussion and the Dramatic Arts. Ms. Beasley is also a certified Reiki Master/Teacher. Top
Katina is a registered nurse and social worker. For more than a decade, she has been a proactive contributor to wellness efforts and organizations throughout New York State and around the country. Her sphere of influence in the realm of patient advocacy ranges from individual care and counseling to authoring psychosocial reports, staff administration, and videotaped learning workshops for the Barbara Bush Foundation. Her professional affiliations with leading health care facilities coupled with her far-reaching accomplishments make Ms. Dantzler an invaluable asset to Odyssey Quest and its mission.
As a Clinical Care Manager for Value Options, in Albany, NY, Ms. Dantzler collaborated with facilities, members and providers on assessment, planning, facilitation and advocacy for options and services to meet an individual's mental health needs and substance abuse issues while maintaining quality cost-effective outcomes. Prior to joining Value Options, Ms. Dantzler was an Emergency Room Social Worker at Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, and her responsibilities included social work intervention in domestic violence, child protective, mental health, and substance abuse and trauma cases. She facilitated and coordinated community services, discharge planning, crisis intervention, and on-call responsibilities.
Prior to her work at Albany Medical Center, Ms. Dantzler was a Social Worker Researcher for the Veterans Health Administration in Montrose, NY, where she coordinated the CTI Homeless Vets Study, conducted baseline interviews with inpatient psychiatric veterans, and spearheaded follow-up interviews and Clinical Process Records.
Ms. Dantzler brings to Odyssey Quest the rich experience from her practical, daily interactions as a Day Treatment Social Worker and Protective Services Social Worker (PSA) at FEGS (Bronx and NYC, NY); Director of Family Services and Family Service Counselor at Homes for the Homeless, Prospect Family Inn (Bronx and NYC, NY); Admissions Counselor at Marymount College (Tarrytown, NY); and Education/Literacy Coordinator for the Community Action Program of Evansville (Princeton, IN).
Katina Dantzler is a NYS Licensed Master Social Worker (Fordham University, 1999), and a NYS Registered Nurse (Maria College, Albany). She is a 1994 graduate of Cassius College (Buffalo) with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology. Top
Michael is a wilderness guide and retired police officer. He has over 25 years of experience in the field of law enforcement. During his tenure, he received 35 commendations and was named Police Officer of the Year in 1990. Mr. Carnevale is a proven leader and mentor in his field and has served as an instructor and trainer for police officers throughout his 25-year career.
As a result of receiving serious injuries from a motorcycle accident, Mr. Carnevale was given Reiki to help relieve his chronic and debilitating pain. Having experienced a major improvement in his quality of life as a result of the Reiki treatments, Mr. Carnevale became a Reiki II practitioner and now promotes its benefits to veterans and law enforcement.
Mr. Carnevale received a B.P.S. degree in Criminal Justice and graduated cum laude from the State University of New York at Utica Rome. Top
Karla is a psychotherapist with over 27 years of experience in the field of mental health and trauma. She has created curriculum for educating communities in New York City on issues surrounding sexual assault with a focus on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and the need for immediate supportive counseling. She was the Rape Education Consultant for The Soundview-Throgs Neck Community Mental Health Center of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine for eight years. She was also the Chair of the Board of Directors of New York Women Against Rape, and trained numerous crisis counselors, therapists, and other mental health professionals to address the needs of survivors and families dealing with trauma.
As the co-founder of Sine Qua Non: Allies in Healing, a psychotherapy and energetic healing practice in New York City, she is a feminist therapist whose therapeutic style is informed by psychoanalytic theory, and human potential theory. She uses homeopathy, flower essences, and aromatherapy as supportive tools in her work.
Ms. Jackson is an Adjunct Professor, Africana Studies Department, at Rutgers; The State University. She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychotherapy from St. Lawrence University and a Masters Degree in Counseling from Bank Street College of Education, New York. She is a 2nd Degree Reiki Practitioner, a Kundalini Yoga Teacher, and a Tibetan Buddhist Chöd Practitioner, and has created numerous workshops that connect women to the goddess, teach introductory meditative practices, and help people incorporate spirituality into their lives. Karla is an initiated priestess of Obatala, in the West African religion of Ifa. She skillfully integrates the wisdom from many spiritual and psychotherapeutic systems, making them more readily accessible to people from all walks of life. Top
Suzanne is a certified fitness trainer, creative writer, and award-winning author. The unique bundling of her successful experience with physical expression programs and creative release is an important and welcomed asset to the Odyssey Quest program and its Heart of a Warrior initiative in which alleviating the impact of chronic stress and trauma are primary goals. Suzanne's wide-ranging talent and experience have impacted realms as diverse as BOCES Enrichment agendas, Arts in Education programs, a variety of fitness facilities and in special initiatives for developmentally delayed and special needs adults.
An artist of uncommon diversity and artistic reach, Suzanne is the author of the award-winning book, Billboard in the Clouds. In addition, she is certified to lead creative writing workshops using the nationally acclaimed Amherst Writers and Artists (AWA) Writing Method, which provides a safe and supportive, non-confrontational writing community that enables participants to express and release troubling memories in a stress-free environment.
Suzanne holds an MFA in poetry and MS in Educational Psychology. She also has served as performing Director of Rhumpas and the Wild Things, a dynamic ethnic fusion drum and dance group. Top
Anthony is a Criminal Justice Strategy Coordinator for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). Prior to that, Mr. Ravida was the New York State Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Coordinator and trained hundreds of police officers to be certified D.A.R.E. officers. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services is a multi-function criminal justice support agency. DCJS is among the nation's leaders in developing criminal justice technologies, communication and information systems. Mr. Ravida's responsibilities include the coordination of County District Attorneys and various law enforcement agencies including city, state and federal agencies to develop crime reduction strategies in targeted areas of the state. Mr. Ravida has also served the Department as a Sr. Administrative Analyst and is certified as a general topics instructor. Mr. Ravida has over 30 years of experience in the public service sector. Top
Donna is a United States Air Force Veteran, who has been in the medical, education, and legal field as a Medical/Surgical Illustrator for over 35 years. She is also a Natural Sciences Illustrator and trained in Forensic Facial Reconstruction.
Donna is a Reiki Master/Teacher and has practiced Reiki for over nine years. She has trained with three Reiki Masters and also has training in Therapeutic Touch. She has provided Reiki for both employees and patients at the Stratton VA Medical Center, Albany, New York. As a Reiki Master/Teacher, she has also taught professional staff at St. Peter's Hospital and Our Lady of Mercy Life Center in Albany, New York. Donna participated in a research study on the effect of Reiki on dementia patients. This study was funded by the New York State Health Department. Recently, Donna was invited to join the faculty at Maria College and has also taught Reiki at Siena College, New York.
A strong advocate of Native American rights, Donna was the Chair of the Native American Committee at the Stratton VA Medical Center and has been asked to speak on Native American issues on numerous occasions.
Odyssey Quest, Inc., is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) that offers holistic and integrative health care interventions, multi-cultural spiritual counseling, clinical services, and preventative educational strategies to individuals and families through educational programs and conferences, wellness programs, consulting services, training workshops, community forums and discussion groups.
