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Dutchess Mediation Center secures almost $10K in grants

The Mediation Center of Dutchess County secured nearly $10,000 in grant money to fund training sessions.

The two grants obtained from Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley add up to $9,375. The money will go toward Restorative Justice training sessions, according to a press release.

"With this grant from the Community Foundations, we can train in a new modality, known as Restorative Justice, which looks to identify and address harms, needs and obligations in order to not only resolve, but also heal situations," said Jane Cottrell, executive di

 

rector of Mediation Center of Dutchess County. "By investing in this training for staff and volunteers, Restorative Justice can also be taught and applied in our communities and schools."

The training sessions will start in spring 2017, and Restorative Justice techniques will be implemented into the organization within a year.

, Poughkeepsie Journal 3:54 p.m. EST December 19, 2016

 

 

Serino lauded for protecting elderly

Congratulations to Sen. Sue Serino, R-Hyde Park, on receiving the 2016 “Champion of Elder Rights and Safety” award, in recognition of her work on elder abuse awareness.

The award was presented recently by the Coalition on Elder Abuse and the Mediation Center of Dutchess County at its World Elder Abuse Awareness Day events.

In her role as Chair of the Senate Aging Committee, Sen. Serino has done a tremendous job in the area of elder rights, making awareness of elder abuse and exploitation a priority.

After assembling local and statewide advocates for the aging for an elder abuse roundtable, Sen. Serino successfully sought and secured hundreds of thousands of dollars for a statewide program to assist those who are victims of elder abuse.

As the recently retired Director of the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, I witnessed firsthand Sen. Serino’s keen focus on — and commitment to — improving the quality of life for our senior population (especially those who are most vulnerable), her advocacy for programs and services that allow older adults to safely “age in place” and the need to call more attention to the issue of elder abuse.

I commend her for working on behalf of the growing senior population and providing all of us with a much needed voice in the state government.

Mary Kaye Dolan Anderson

Poughkeepsie Journal, July 2, 2016

 

Chamber of Commerce recognizes Mediation Center during Ribbon Cutting event

Many gathered to celebrate as the Chamber of Commerce recognized the Mediation Center of Dutchess County during its Ribbon Cutting event. Our center has reorganized and expanded to the 3rd floor allowing for an additional mediation room, client consultation room, a new waiting area on the 2nd floor, along with a new volunteer/intern work space on the 3rd floor. The Mediation Center of Dutchess County offers mediation, training and conflict education.  It's programs include placing mediators in the courts, helping resolve family conflicts, an Anti-Bullying Initiative, and a Coalition on Elder Abuse.

 

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Valley Views: Elder Abuse can be confronted in many ways

Poughkeepsie Journal in conjunction with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, which was observed locally on June 12, 2015 and spearheaded by our Coalition on Elder Abuse, a program of the Mediation Center of Dutchess County ran several columns on elder abuse. 

To read these articles, click on the links below:

 

 

 

Speak Up! Speak Out! You Matter!

Hudson Valley News Network, Posted April 28, 2015

“Bullying can have harmful effects on children who engage in bullying behaviors, on bystanders, school climate and on society at large.  But because bullying affects an entire community, it takes a community to deal with it.” – Jody Miller, Executive Director;  The Mediation Center of Dutchess County Video

 
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