"I have reviewed the "The Christian Perspective On Death and Dying." This program addresses substantial issues of life, dying and death in ways that can empower people and churches to minister effectively in difficult times. Lesson objectives are clear. The instructor manual is workable for a Sunday School class or seminar. The biblical basis gives important insight into experiences of living, dying, and death. This study will lead individuals through normal and catastrophic grief experiences and enable them to provide comfort and support to others beyond the immediate time of death. I recommend these resources for personal and professional growth studies."

- John R. Chandler, Executive Director, Southern Baptist Association of Christian Schools

"The work of David Opalewski and Grief Recovery Inc., "The Christian Perspective On Death and Dying" provides to individuals and churches the opportunity of study and help in healing in matters that touch us all at some point in life.
This is a unique ministry and of real value to many."

- David J. Torgenson­, President, Kingdom Services Inc.,
Founder and President of The Life Springs Group

"Your material on "The Christian Perspective On Death and Dying" is the best comprehensive study guide on an important subject that is relevant to everyone. It is presented in a "how-to" approach that is easy to follow and understand. In a society where extended families are often separated by many miles, it shows us how to go through the grieving process."    

- Garth W. Coonce,
President, Tri-State Christian TV

I am writing to let you know that the coaches, administrators and support staff who attended the Grief Recovery session you conducted for us had nothing but praise for the presentation. So many came up to me to state:       

• "The best in-service training we've ever had."
• "Dave made me consider how my statements are internalized by others."
• "I thought my comments were supportive, but now I realize how to structure words to help others in their grief."
• "I got in touch with feelings I never identified before."

- Central Michigan University

"On behalf of the Frankenmuth High School Crisis Committee, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation to you for your assistance during our recent crisis resulting in the passing of a student. Everyone we talked to appreciated the prompt way in which you responded and came to our aid. During such a tragic time it was very comforting to our students and staff for the genuine concern and support you demonstrated. It is very pleasing to see our community members take such an active and public-spirited role at a time of crisis. Your kind help during this difficult time will be long remembered."

- Frankenmuth High School Crisis Committee

"I strongly recommend David Opalewski as an experience counselor, teacher and presenter. Several years ago, when I was Campus Counselor at the University of Michigan-Flint, I hired Dave to do a campus-wide presentation on suicide prevention. His excellent reputation in the area brought us a crowd of more than 250 people, including interested teachers and counselors at the secondary level. Evaluations for this event were extremely positive. You will find it a pleasure to deal with Dave because he is a dedicated professional who is absolutely reliable. I look forward to using his services again soon. He is a caring professional with true insights to offer an audience. I recommend David Opalewski without reservation."

- Henry Ford Community College
Peggy Holcomb, MA, LPC, Director,
Focus on Women program

"I am writing this letter of recommendation on behalf of Dave Opalewski regarding his "Crises Response Planning" Workshop. I have had the pleasure of knowing and more recently working with Dave in a variety of settings. My first encounter with him was seeing him as a presenter at the National Student Assistance Conference. He did an outstanding job in that role. My next experience with Dave was inviting him to our organization to do a few presentations for people we train and assist. We operate a Crisis Response Training Institute as a part of the services provided by our organization. He did a few trainings for that audience and was very well received. It became obvious to me and others here that he is a skilled, competent, and caring trainer. We have had very positive evaluations of Dave's workshops from the participants. The result of these experiences is that we invited him to become a member of our Institutes faculty. He has since trained for us regularly and effectively. He has done so at sites in other regions and also done "Distance Learning" training when we have had the need to provide that service. What I am most impressed by in Dave's work is not simply his skill level, but rather the credibility and believability the audience experiences when he trains and teaches. More recently I have had an opportunity to co-present with him. And found him to be easy to work with and found our collaboration to be satisfying and effective. From these experiences, I can emphatically state that Dave knows grief (as well as a variety of other subjects) and is an outstanding presenter. I should also note that his personal experience with tragedy (especially in the education setting) has made him qualified to assist you in your pro-active approach to a possible tragedy in your department. Dave is also a certified Death and Dying and Suicide Prevention instructor for Central Michigan University. I am sure that his knowledge and experience will be a great benefit to you as you assist your staff and student-athletes when a tragedy occurs in your athletic family."

- Kent Intermediate School District
John Belaski

"I have known Dave Opalewski for 12 years and was privileged to have started Grief Recovery, Inc with him. Dave has been trained and given training in dealing with suicide and adolescent issues. Dave is a good educator and is professional and thorough. His knowledge base includes education and experience with adolescent issues. His position in the Bridgeport School system has presented him with actual life situations and he has been able to deal effectively with crisis situations and assist victims' families. I highly recommend him for direct crisis response and suicide and grief activities."

- Dr. Joel C. Robertson, Pharm.D.

"Your presentation style and ability to relate to everyone in the room was outstanding. The topic is one that many never address or evaluate until they find themselves surrounded by a situation they have no frame or reference to handle. The follow-up session you conducted with our Crisis Response Team allowed us to address the creation of a plan to handle any future crisis that should occur. My sincere thank you for giving our staff helpful guidelines to deal with difficult and painful losses. I will certainly recommend you to other departments at CMU or our sister institutions in the Mid-American Conference. "

- Marcy Weston, Senior Associate Director of Athletics

Dave Opalewski has presented for the following organizations at their state and national conventions. He presents annually for most of the following:

• ·         Michigan Counseling Association

  ·         Michigan Association of School Psychologist

  ·         Michigan PTA

  ·         Michigan Association of Suicidology

  ·         Midwest Association of Non-Public Schools

  ·         Michigan Association of Middle School Educators

  ·         Saginaw Catholic Diocese

  ·         Association of Christian Schools International

  ·         Texas Association of Baptist Schools

  ·         Southern Association of Christian Schools

  ·         National Middle School Association

  ·         National Student Assistance Conference

  ·         National Council for Working with America's Youth

  ·         Mid-Michigan Association of Lutheran Schools

  ·         National Middle School Urban Conference

  ·         Pennsylvania Association of Student Assistance

  ·         National Character Education Conference

  ·         Arkansas Safe School Conference

  ·         Georgia School Consoles Association

  ·         Kentucky School Counselors Association

  ·         Wisconsin School Counselors Association

  ·         Student Assistance Professionals of Georgia

  ·         Florida School Consolers Association

  ·         Midsouth Summer Institute University of Arkansas Little Rock

  ·         Summer Institute, Marquette - Alger RESA

  ·         Tennessee Counselors Association

  ·         Indianapolis School Counselors Assoc.

  ·         Lonestar State Counselors Conference