The Importance of Support

Trump budget would end agency that resolves differences in a time of deep division.

This article by Grande Lum speaks of the critical work the DOJ’s Community Relations Services (CRS) does bringing mediation services to communities in crisis. This community building work is, in many ways, directly connected to our local Center for Dispute Settlement (CDS) founders and long-term Executive Directors.

Mr. Lum is now the Director of the Ohio State University’s Divided Communities Project, a community resiliency building initiative under the guidance of OHU’s Moritz School of Law Department’s Michael Mortiz Chair, Joseph (Josh) Stulberg.  Josh was CDS’s original Executive Director in 1973-starting the first Community Dispute Resolution Center in NY State and the 3rd in the country. When the DOJ went to Sanford Florida to help heal that community following the death of Trayvon Martin they were fortunate to work with Andrew Thomas, the Sanford Community Relations Director.  Andrew served as CDS’s Executive Director for 25 years before “retiring” to Florida.  Sherry Walker-Cowart, who served for 12 years as Executive Director until 2016, is the local Divided Communities Project Case Study Developer.  Sherry is conducting a case study of our local community resiliency building efforts; Rochester is one of 5 cities working with the OHU project.

With people and organizations working tirelessly to constantly provide education, mediation and conflict resolution throughout our communities, it is crucial to make sure that we keep organizations such as CRS in place.

While the Center for Dispute Settlement continues on our 45+ year mission of community building work, we must raise our voice to emphasize the importance of supporting our federal level partners at the DOJ’s Community Relations Services.

To learn more about the Center for Dispute Settlement and how we can help you or how you can get involved in what we do, contact us today!