Testimonials
Rosanna C Pfrimmer
Navy combat veteran and now community outreach liaison
It gives me great pleasure to write a testimony on behalf of Mr. Robert Mahoney, as a 22 ½ Navy combat veteran and now community outreach liaison with first responders, working with someone like Robert is instrumental in achieving the goals of reducing violence and suicides.
He is able to articulate the information presented to a large population of participants in a platform with various organizations representing different fields in the workforce, and as a result from his delivery methods, every partner involved was able to understand and move forward with the information and take appropriate steps after gaining more knowledge from Robert. His familiarity and understanding of people, their behaviors, knowledge of grants & grant requirements, relevant training on reducing violence and other important information, greatly impacted the Horizon Healthcare Partners team and our partnered organizations throughout the state of Rhode Island.
In addition, his vast knowledge of the state of Rhode Island’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) enabled me to reach over 1/3 of the state’s first responders and share information about the 988 process when a first responder or mobile crisis unit is activated, directly resulted in a decrease of first responders having to respond to superfluous calls and saving the state of Rhode Island funds that would have otherwise been unnecessarily spent on an unwarranted emergency room visit.
His administrative acumen and effective communication skills enabled him to deliver astonishing training during monthly and quarterly meetings that addressed concerns in Rhode Island and other states in the New England region. His knowledge, skills and abilities have been influential in establishing a sustained platform to help increase and spread awareness of training opportunities to help prevent and reduce statistics on violence and suicides.
Shannon Desilets
Choose Love Movement of New Hampshire
“It is a privilege to work with Robert Mahoney. He has a unique ability to bring people together regionally, uniting diverse voices and perspectives in the shared mission of keeping communities safe. His leadership, dedication, and skill in fostering collaboration have not only strengthened partnerships but have also elevated the safety and well-being of countless citizens.”
Amery Bernhardt
School safety leader , CT
As a school safety leader in the State of Connecticut, I had the distinct pleasure of working alongside Robert Mahoney in a variety of initiatives aimed at preventing targeted violence in our schools. Robert brought not only a deep expertise in school safety and violence prevention, but also a collaborative spirit that elevated the work of threat assessment.
Robert demonstrated a thorough understanding of the three key levels of violence prevention: primary, secondary, and tertiary. He consistently applied this knowledge to help shape impactful strategies. His contributions to several working groups dedicated to preventing targeted violence were instrumental in advancing our statewide efforts.
In addition to offering insightful presentations and thoughtful feedback on key initiatives, Robert was a valued connector. He brought meaningful partnerships and resources from across the New England region. His professional network proved to be an incredible asset to our work, allowing us to expand our reach and effectiveness.
Robert’s commitment to safer schools and communities is unwavering, and his expertise continues to make a measurable difference in Connecticut and beyond.
John Horvath
Chief of Police Rockport Police Department in MA
As the Chief of Police in a small, coastal community, I’ve long believed that safety isn’t just about responding to crime and disorder—it’s about preventing these acts before they occur. Our town may not face the same magnitude of challenges as larger cities, but we are not immune to the growing threat of targeted violence. For years, I’ve worked toward establishing meaningful, sustainable ways to build a true culture of prevention. During this time, I was fortunate to have met and worked with Mr. Robert Mahoney.
I’m incredibly grateful for the guidance and leadership of Rob, who not only elevated our understanding of targeted violence prevention but helped us see the broader picture—how early risk factors like social isolation, bullying, substance misuse, and mental health struggles often intersect long before violence occurs.
Rob doesn’t just talk about collaboration—he models it. He’s brought together voices from public health, mental health, education, municipal government, and public safety, helping us move beyond siloed approaches. His ability to connect local departments and grassroots partners with national resources has been impactful. Through his support, we’ve gained access to prevention programs, training opportunities, and even potential funding streams that would have otherwise been out of reach.
What stands out most is Rob’s commitment to building real relationships at the local level. He understands the unique needs of smaller municipalities like ours, and doesn’t push a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, he encourages innovation and empowers us to tailor strategies that fit the fabric of our community.
Because of Rob’s efforts, our community is better positioned to intervene early, support those in crisis, and create safer, more connected spaces. Rob is a trusted ally in our mission to keep our town and region safe.
Jayna Stevens
Manchester Police Athletic League Manchester, NH
We were fortunate to have Robert Mahoney lead a targeted violence prevention training for our non profit. His deep knowledge of this subject, combined with an “easy-going” presentation style, made the topic relatable and actionable for our team. Robert fostered an environment where everyone felt comfortable to ask questions and participate. Outside of training, Robert is responsive and timely, willing to “go the extra mile” to connect resources, and supportive of each organization he works with. I highly recommend Robert to any organization seeking a personable and knowledgeable trainer.
Barb Slayton
Franklin School District Franklin, NH
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Rob Mahoney over several years within a public K–12 school district in New Hampshire. Our collaboration has focused on school safety and prevention, grounded in strong community partnerships and strategic communication. Rob is incredibly flexible and responsive, adapting to our evolving needs while helping us strengthen coordination across schools and agencies. His support has been key in raising awareness around critical safety issues, developing effective strategies, and fostering new partnerships—all of which have enhanced our collective ability to support student and staff well-being through sustained collaboration.
Dara Benno
Human-Centered Design + Sustainability Expert
I was introduced to Rob and his work in violence prevention through a colleague in sustainable design. As an applied artist and human-centered designer based in Rhode Island, I always enjoy connecting and collaborating with others focused on prioritizing community resilience through careful consideration of both social and environmental factors. Rob does just that. His passion and excitement for working with others continues to be evident through his dedication to connecting people and creating a wide network of multi-disciplinary practitioners committed to carving a path toward a desirable future.
Arnold D. Lundwall
Executive Director of Southern Worcester County Educational Collaborative
I have had the pleasure of working with, collaborating with, and receiving support from Mr. Robert Mahoney for the past two school years as he has provided me with professional development, analysis, and actionable plans to increase the health, safety, and security of the two campuses of my Special Education Collaborative located in south central Massachusetts. He has been an ally to school districts as well as local police and fire departments in the effort to raise awareness and fluency in identifying and responding to threats to municipal entities. His vast knowledge and relationships with local, state, and federal organizations has been instrumental in developing emergency operations plans for my Collaborative. Robert has a confident, yet humble, presence in all meetings that we have attended with him as well as those interactions and professional development offerings that he has organized and facilitated. His mission to provide seamless communication and information sharing across departments and organizations is a testament to his aim to further safeguard all communities from harm or threats of harm.