HWB Iowa - Meet Our Members

Herbalists Without Borders - Iowa Chapter
Meet Our Members
~Written by Valarie Kimm

One Sunday each month, 5 inspirational women meet in Studio 128 of the beautiful, historic Cherry Building near downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Cherry Building is nestled within a district known as NewBo (New Bohemia), named for the Czech immigrant population that first settled the area in the mid to late 1800’s. The neighborhood is now comprised of a wide variety of small businesses; including arts, culture and entertainment venues, and former industrial sites.

Inside the Cherry Building, within the atrium of the main level, the entrance to the studio glows invitingly with the soft flickering light from an electric fireplace. Comfortable furnishings, candles, and natural décor provide a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere.

These 5 women assemble together, unifying to provide their unique experience and energies, an opportunity for the community to be empowered and assisted, through their services and knowledge of available resources. Each woman brings her own set of tools, products, and skills, for one very important purpose… providing free/low cost (donation-based) alternative health and wellness consultation, services, and referrals for community members in need.

What are the benefits attending a People's Clinic?

Herbalists Without Borders International sponsors People's Clinics globally, with locations and services being offered in many countries throughout the world. The HWB Iowa Chapter, based in Cedar Rapids and led by Donna Bass, Chapter Coordinator, is currently the only HWB chapter located in Iowa. Promoting the establishment and growth of additional chapters is very important to making this beneficial opportunity available to more communities and their members.

All community members are welcome and are invited to monthly People's Clinics in Cedar Rapids via publicly-posted flyers, social media event pages, personal invitations from family/friends/co-workers, and promotions/referrals through local businesses that advertise wellness programs.

People's Clinic is targeted to reach and help everyone in the community, but especially those who are uninsured, underinsured, and cannot afford necessary interim services outside of their regular appointments with medical/healthcare providers. No one is turned away from People's Clinic for inability to pay.  Donation-based services are provided to all, at no/low cost to participants.

Services offered at Cedar Rapids People's Clinics currently include herbal consultation, referrals to community resources, licensed massage therapy (chair massage/hand massage), essential oil aromatherapy, energy work, Reiki, modern shamanic practices, sound therapies (singing bowls, drum/rattle), spiritual guidance, and more. Participants are invited to experience one, or as many services as they have time to complete.

HWB headquarters (or “The Mothership” as the Iowa Chapter lovingly refers to it), will often provide donations of natural body products and herbal supplements which are given (free) to clinic participants and community members in need.
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These 5 women in Iowa volunteer many gifts; a variety of services, products, wisdom, and loving presence, holding space and promoting transformation of mind, body, and spirit. Everyone who attends People's Clinic in Cedar Rapids is not only treated with dignity and respect, all are given unconditional LOVE from each practitioner, and offered support to face whatever life changes they may be encountering. HWB Iowa Chapter members are proud of the connection, emotion, and energy they are sharing with the Cedar Rapids community and its’ members.

Who are the 5 members of the HWB Iowa Chapter?

Donna Bass - Master Herbalist, Cosmetologist, Founder HWB Iowa Chapter
Donna Bass, Founder of the HWB Iowa Chapter, earned a Master’s degree in Herbalism, and is a licensed cosmetologist. Donna completes review of intake paperwork with participating community members, provides herbal consultations, as well as offering suggestions/recommendations for resources and services. Donna is passionate about helping those who are underserved in the community, especially those diagnosed with PTSD, who are experiencing homelessness, and people needing resources. Donna loves educating people and indulging them with her unique line of herbal body products, salon, and spa services. She currently works in Brunettes on Center Point Rd. NE in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. You can schedule services or a consultation with Donna by contacting Brunettes at 319-393-1817.
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Rebekah “Bex” Hurn – Licensed Massage Therapist
Rebekah provides licensed massage therapy and other bodywork within Studio 128, inside the Cherry Building, in Cedar Rapids, IA. She describes herself as “a massage therapist that incorporates different modalities into a treatment. Anything from essential oils to energy work to sound bowls can be used…” Rebekah likes creating balance, a safe and sacred space for healing, and enjoys working on the root cause of pain and discomfort. She has generously donated the sacred space in her studio each month, allowing HWB Peoples’ Clinic volunteer practitioners a space to work within, so that the community may be invited to receive low/no cost alternative services.
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Jennifer Davis-Bachmann - Licensed Massage Therapist, Reiki II Practitioner
Jennifer Davis-Bachmann is a Licensed Massage Therapist and Reiki II Practitioner. She offers chair massage, hand massage, stretching, and aromatherapy services at Peoples’ Clinic in Cedar Rapids each month. Jen provides licensed massage therapy and Reiki sessions in Marion, IA and Cedar Rapids area. Jen serves anyone in need of relief from chronic pain, or who just wants to experience relaxation, de-stressing, and rebalancing. You can schedule by contacting her at 319-551-0862 or sending her a message through the Echo of My Heart Healing and Massage Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/echoofmyheart/
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Paula Hinzman-Mitchell – Herbalist, Usui Reiki Master/Teacher, Shamanic Practitioner
Paula is a practitioner of Modern Core Shamanism and provides Reiki and shamanic energy work during Peoples’ Clinic each month. She also provides shamanic energywork and reiki sessions at ReAlive in Marion, Iowa by appointment and at selected events. Paula works with anyone who wants to connect with their own spiritual path, their own sacred stories, and their innate healing potential. You can schedule by contacting her at 319-360-5972 or sending her a message through the Sacred Fire, LLC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SacredFireLLC/
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Valarie Kimm – Usui Reiki Master/Teacher, Shamanic Practitioner, ACI Practitioner, Owner of SWEAT Hot Yoga & Sacred Dance Studio
Valarie provides modern shamanic healing and energywork services, classes, workshops, and events through Spirit Sparrow Sacred Services & Guidance (online/distance & in person throughout Iowa). She is also the owner of SWEAT Hot Yoga & Sacred Dance Studio, opening February 2019 in Cedar Rapids (Hiawatha), Iowa. You can schedule services or register for classes by contacting her at 319-241-1980, call/visit SWEAT during normal business hours, or send her a message through the Spirit Sparrow Sacred Services and Guidance Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/1SpiritSparrow/
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To find a Chapter near you, visit our Find a Chapter page;
www.hwbglobal.org/find-a-chapter.html
To become a member of HWB or to renew your membership, visit;
www.hwbglobal.org/member-benefits.html