Posted February 15th, 2023 — Filed under
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Volunteer mediator John Tolliver has been recognized by the National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM) for helping Dutchess residents with the conflicts of their lives. NAFCM is regarded as a leading resource for mediation and alternative dispute resolution centers. For more than 12 years, Mr. Tolliver has volunteered with the Poughkeepsie-based Mediation Center of Dutchess County. Throughout that time, he has mediated cases ranging from small claims and surrogate’s court to family visitation and custody arrangements.
“The Mediation Center of Dutchess County is proud to be a resource within the community, that is resourced by the community,” said Leanne Lawson MSW, Executive Director of MCDC. “Our volunteer mediators facilitate nearly all of the cases we take on each year. Each of these generous individuals undergo rigorous training before guiding people through challenging conflicts. John Tolliver is among the exemplary volunteers we have, regularly helping neighbors through their most difficult times. His skills and passion for this work inspire us all, and we are pleased that he is being honored by such an esteemed group.”
Prior to volunteering as a mediator, Mr. Tolliver served in the US Navy, worked as an engineer and gemstone seller. He has also volunteered in the Medical Reserve Corps.
Posted January 14th, 2023 — Filed under
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With new and expanded funding from local foundations, the Mediation Center of Dutchess County (MCDC) will begin its 40th year serving the community. MCDC provides no- or low-cost dispute resolution services to individuals, families, organizations, and communities throughout the county. In late 2022, the nonprofit organization received a combined $40,000 in operating support from Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley and the Dyson Foundation.
“As a small, volunteer-based nonprofit, we work hard to help neighbors navigate the conflicts of their lives,” said Leanne Lawson MSW, Executive Director. “Whether someone is dealing with small claims cases, workplace disputes, or personal matters like custody arrangements or divorce, we can help them explore solutions. With grant support from these community leaders, MCDC can continue providing accessible, confidential services. ”
2023 marks the organization’s 40th year helping individuals, and in turn, strengthening community resilience. Each year volunteers facilitate more than 97% of mediation cases, guiding thousands of individuals through conflict resolution.
As young people throughout the county get ready for a new school year, a group of teens from Beacon High School spent the summer preparing to engage in a whole new way. Through a partnership between the Mediation Center of Dutchess County’s Restorative Justice Initiative and Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Green Teen program, 15 students participated extensively in Circle practice, a method for building community, strengthening communication, and addressing conflict. With funding from the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, the partnership created an instructional video so other youth-serving organizations could learn about Circles. Filmed by Lex Catania, the resulting mini-documentary, “The Teens are Alright,” outlines the process and explores the experiences of 7 youth participants.
“Empowering youth is a key area of focus for our Restorative Justice Initiative,” said Claudia Abbott-Barish, Director of Restorative Justice Programs at the Mediation Center of Dutchess County. “Rooted in Indigenous philosophy, Circle practice can be a transformational approach to community building and conflict resolution. We’ve seen the positive effects of this work for years and wanted to share that story.”
The 13-minute documentary introduces viewers to the practice, with a focus on the experience of youth participants. Through the process, the teens describe how Circle helps them connect with themselves and each other. Through their distinct voices, it becomes clear that with these supports the teens are, indeed, alright.
“We’re so grateful to the youth, Green Teen staff, and filmmaker for bringing this story together,” Abbott-Barish continued. “As with all of our initiatives, we are proud that this documentary was created by the community – and will become a resource within the community. We’re especially grateful to the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley whose funding made this possible, and to the Dutchess County Agency Partner Grant program which supports our youth programs.”
Posted August 26th, 2022 — Filed under
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To best serve neighbors experiencing conflict, the Mediation Center of Dutchess County is launching a brand-new website. Designed by Drake Creative, the new site will provide easier access to mediation and restorative justice services to neighbors throughout the county.
“MCDC is proud to launch our new website which expresses our values of accessibility and self-determination,” said Executive Director Leanne Lawson. “Built to the highest standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, we hope that neighbors will be empowered to find the dispute resolution services they need without barriers.”
In addition to providing comprehensive information about mediation and restorative justice services, the new website features an innovative tool for helping users quickly identify whether MCDC can support them. By answering a few quick questions, site visitors can determine what’s best for their situation.
“The added enhancement of a quiz will help people better understand who the Mediation Center is, and how we might figure into their needs,” Lawson continued. “The quiz also enables users to tell staff the best ways and times to contact them for more help. It’s our hope that this will bring clarity into moments of confusion and conflict.”
The new website was paid for in part by Dutchess County, through its Agency Partner Grant Infrastructure Program. Community members are invited to use and share the improved new website at: dutchessmediation.org.
