Blog
The Center for Dispute Settlement is proud to be participating in a project designed to align our programs and services with a Trauma Informed Care (TIC) approach. Our staff are currently participating in a professional development series offered by Coordinated Care Services, Inc., sponsored through our membership in the Finger Lakes Regional Youth Justice Team (FLRYJT).
What do CMSC Members Do?
CMSC members strengthen local partnerships between schools and Community Dispute Resolution Centers (CDRCs) to improve outcomes for youth. Members provide MEDIATION, RESTORATIVE CIRCLES, and CONFLICT COACHING services for students and staff and provide presenta-tions about services to the school community.
The Center is honored to partner with the Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence and Partners in Restorative Initiatives to support a 2-year Transformative Justice Fellowship, which will offer free training and mentorship to two people of color who are interested in conflict and community transformation. Applications are due May 22.
The Board of Directors is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Shira May as the new CEO of The Center for Dispute Settlement. She will begin transitioning into her new role beginning March 1.
Shira comes to CDS from Partners In Restorative Initiatives (PiRI), where as Executive Director she managed a vital community organization that helps build relationships, strengthen communities, and repair harm in schools, community organizations, and the criminal justice system.
Join us and make a difference. On December 1st, the Rochester community will come together to ROC the Day and we need YOU to join us. It's 24 hours of unprecedented community giving. And it's your chance to make a real difference right here in the Greater Rochester region.
It is with our deepest sympathies that we send condolences to the family of Mr. Daniel Prude regarding his tragic death at the hands of some members of the Rochester Police Department. We are outraged and discouraged by the officers' actions in failing to respond humanly to Mr. Prude which ultimately led to his death. This is yet another, all too frequent, egregious failure to serve and protect.
Sometimes, it seems as though conflict surrounds us. The issue of conflict within our communities, while necessarily addressed, is not solved through the criminal justice system. In fact, New York State’s recidivism rate has held steady around 40% since the 1990’s. Many are looking for a better way. The Ontario County Restorative Practices Collaborative believes restorative practices are a big part of the answer.
Almost 17 months ago, Charles Milks and John Boedicker, while heavily intoxicated, tried to steal one of Rochester's statues of historic abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
The two were not hard to catch. Then students at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY, they carried the downtown statue away after knocking it from its pedestal at the intersection of Tracy and Alexander streets in the city.
When Milks, now 22, earlier this month heard that another of Rochester's Douglass statues had been vandalized and needed to be replaced, he knew what to do: He offered to help erect the new statue when the time came.
In the past several days, the greater Rochester region has been among the many communities experiencing aftershocks of unrest and activism felt across the nation and around the world. This has left most individuals with more questions than answers. Sadly, these issues are not new.
Please help our community develop ways to Interrupt Racism by completing the Rochester Urban League survey and sharing your thoughts and ideas. Take the survey below.
The Urban League of Rochester joins with the voices of thousands protesting in Rochester and across the country: The time to address systemic racism, inequity, and power differentials in our community and our country is NOW.
INTERRUPT RACISM is a collective impact equity platform. What this means is that, rather than presume the Urban League can effectively move the needle on racism in Rochester on our own, we are instead asking for help from everyone in our community: Everyone.
The Center for Dispute Settlement continues to provide our communities with mediation and restorative justice services despite the inability to work with clients in person during the time of social distancing. Ontario County Program Manager, Ingrid Welch recently conducted remote mediation sessions to assist clients with resolving Custody & Visitation issues that became problematic due to social distancing...
Our Monroe County CDS staff organized a wonderful Oath of Office swearing in ceremony for our volunteer mediators. The event was held on the 19th floor of the glass walled First Federal Building providing a commanding view of downtown Rochester with Lake Ontario visible to the north. Monroe County Staff, Mediators, Apprentice Mediators, Family and Friends were invited.
A testimony from Bill Van Buskirk, a mediator at The Center for Dispute Settlement: "I like being a mediator for many reasons. I became a mediator in my late 20's because I was motivated to grow my professional skills in Human Resource Management. I knew that mediation would teach me unique tools that I could apply to my day-to-day job, and that's exactly what unfolded as I managed the conflict-related aspects...
Conflict Coaching helps people better understand how to manage a dispute or problem. It provides the opportunity to explore different perspectives and responses to the conflict and equips people to make self-determinate choices in their own best interest. Coaching improves the ability to work through conflicts for a specific dispute and in the process provides opportunity for personal growth.
Sunday, June 16th, plan an extra special Father’s Day with these activities that will really show your dad how much he means to you.
The Center for Dispute Settlement continues to provide our communities with mediation and restorative justice services despite the inability to work with clients in person during the time of social distancing. Here are a couple of examples of our remote services.
Ontario County Program Manager, Ingrid Welch recently conducted remote mediation sessions to assist clients with resolving Custody & Visitation issues that became problematic due to social distancing.
From Friday, May 10th - Sunday, May 19th the Rochester Lilac Festival will be in full bloom. With countless vendors and entertainment here is a first-hand look at what you won’t want to miss.
Thinking of what the perfect gift to show how much your mom means to you is a hard thing to think of so here are some thoughtful Mother’s Day gift ideas for this year.
Learning appropriate ways to address everyday conflict is a critical life skill; however, for many marginalized people in our community opportunities for self-determination and self- sufficiency appear unattainable.
Everyone has been cooped up inside for the last couple months (unless you enjoy the cold and snow), so here is a day full of fun for just $50 to jump-start your spring season.
With the weather making a switch to spring, it’s time to start planning and thinking about getting to spend more time outside. Not sure what activities to do with your family and friends this year? Don’t worry; here are some fun spring activity options!
We want to work together to make our community and the people within happier. Learn more about the many programs we have to help.
It's easy to slip into a normal day to day routine. If you add good habits that directly relate to your personal goals, then it’s easy to create a better daily schedule just for you
There are many ways to resolve conflict. Dependent on the situation, one of the most effective techniques for healing relationships is to utilize our unique Restorative Justice process.
We pride ourselves on the work we have done to help around Rochester. Now is the time to get involved!
For 45 years we have been providing alternative dispute resolution services to help build resilient communities in and around the greater Rochester.
The new year is a great time to build or reinforce a foundation of strong habits that will bring you the peace and positivity that we all need and deserve. Here are two practices to help your emotional and mental state – and where the mind leads, the body tends to follow!
What are your resolutions on how to approach conflict next year? Whether these issues are happening at work or home, here are some approaches that will help ease the tension in 2019.
The holidays tend to be the happiest and most stressful time of year. So why not break tradition and lose the stressful part. Here’s how to lighten the load and simplify so you can get back in the holiday spirit.
No matter the dispute, we want to help you come to an agreement. So here is one of our many success stories of resolution through mediation.
We at the Center for Dispute Settlement want to take the time to reflect on the things that we are...
As the weather gets colder, it becomes easier and easier to want to cuddle up and stay inside. Seasonal mood changes can affect people of all ages, including children. With this being said, there are so many different ways to put a little pep in your step as...
From work, getting the kids home from school, making dinner, and organizing everything to make the next morning easier. The stress of everyday life can have an effect on everyone. So, how do you make sure that you have a little “me” time in the mix? That doesn’t involve canceling plans.
As school age children and young adults have returned to school, there are many exciting things to look forward to: renewed friendships, clubs, teams, learning, and a lot of social interaction. Of course, like anything that includes individuals pairing up or grouping up, there will be some friction as different styles, personalities, and backgrounds intermingle. This is not to be pessimistic about human relationships; it is to state a fact of life. Let’s examine some approaches to help our young people find constructive approaches to dealing with conflict.
Life is about playing many roles. At the Center for Dispute Settlement, much of our work revolves around helping people when the demands of these various roles cause stress and conflict. Going to the...
Believe it or not, school is almost back in session, and kids are not the only ones that have to adjust; the whole family has to get back into a routine. What are the best strategies for avoiding back-to-school stressors, such as homework and getting the kids to bed at an earlier bedtime? It’s more simple than you think with these helpful tips on managing back-to-school stress.
It’s crazy to think that summer is coming to an end. But, have no fear, there is still plenty of time to knock some of those summer bucket lists items off before the leaves change colors. Take a look at some simple and must-do activities before the summer ends.
We at the Center for Dispute Settlement have the privilege of working in a building with such a rich history. The history of our office building, better known as the Reynolds Arcade is an amazing story. It was once the main hub of Rochester, NY!
There is so much to do in our community both indoors and outdoors, but so many people hesitate having a day full of fun because they think it can be too costly. Well, do we have the perfect news for you! Here is the all you need to know in order to have a day full of fun for just $50.
Take a look as our President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Frank Liberti shares why he loves working at the Center for Dispute Settlement.
The summertime can be just as crazy as the rest of the year, but for some reason when the sun comes out kids start bouncing off the walls asking for things to do. As parents, we want each summer to be better than the last, and with that comes thinking of new and fun ideas. Here are some unique activities to do with kids this summer!
Have you ever wanted to experience all the wonderful events that Rochester, NY has to offer, but have no idea where to start? It’s important to stay current on what’s going on in your community.
Thinking about volunteering but don’t know where to start? Being a volunteer has many benefits not only for the individual but the community as well. At the Center for Dispute Settlement...
With the over 7.6 billion people in the world, it is only appropriate that there is a day dedicated to helping the earth. Find out how YOU can be the CHANGE by participating locally and globally to help improve our world on Earth Day.
Whether it's to relieve stress or for medical reasons, Horticultural Therapy can help not only the community, but individuals as well.
Take your company culture to the next level with these team building trends. Use technology, have smaller teams and establish your company culture!
There has been a lot of talk about change lately. Yes, change can be a great thing but in some cases, consistency is needed. With many organizations working very hard to provide services such as education, mediation, and conflict resolution through our communities, it is so important to keep these organizations around. Found out more about how things could be changing.
Winter is still slowly chugging along day by day, and with the cold weather, it makes it hard not to dream about the warm springtime sun to come. The phrase spring cleaning means, “A thorough cleaning of a house or room, typically undertaken in spring.” Imagine this, what if instead of cleaning your apartment or house this spring, try “cleaning” your soul. How does one “spring clean” your soul?
There are so many great events that happen around Rochester, NY and the rest of the country to help promote peace as well as to support many great causes. One of the most popular winter time events is the Polar Plunge. Who wouldn’t love voluntarily dipping into freezing cold water in the middle of February!
The world waits years for the Olympics to come around. With the Winter Olympics quickly approaching the excitement is rising to watch the U.S.A. compete for the top spot. Although it’s very easy to get caught up in all the Olympic hype it’s always important to remember how it all started and more importantly why it all started.
At the threshold of this year we commemorate the birthday of Dr. King Jr., the 200th birthday of Frederick Douglass, and reflect on 50 years since the passing of Dr. King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy.
It is also the year we celebrate the 45th birthday of the Center for Dispute Settlement, an agency formed to address the polarization our community experienced in response to racial tensions. This year also holds great promise for addressing the deep racial and social divisions still evident today.
At the threshold of this year we commemorate the birthday of Dr. King Jr., the 200th birthday of Frederick Douglass, and reflect on 50 years since the passing of Dr. King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy. It is also the year we celebrate the 45th birthday of the Center for Dispute Settlement, an agency formed to address the polarization our community experienced in response to racial tensions. This year also holds great promise for addressing the deep racial and social divisions still evident today.
January 2018-The start of a new year and the month when we remember and celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As we anticipate the promise of this new year for our Center for Dispute Settlement staff, volunteers and community members we can draw on our past to ground us in the present and renew our commitment to bringing peaceful, non-violent resolutions to conflicts within our communities.
