Coalition on Elder Abuse's World Elder Abuse Awareness Day recognized by Dutchess County Legislature

Legislator Gerry Hutchings reads the proclamation;  Kathy Sheehan and Alice Mann accept on behalf of the Coalition.

On Monday, May 9, legislator Gerry Hutchings presented a proclamation in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, June 15, 2011 to Alice Mann and Kathy Sheehan.  The proclamation was in recognition of the work of the Elder Abuse Coalition that operates under the auspices of the Mediation Center.  Founded in 2009, the Coalition is a group of individuals and public and private agencies whose mission is to protect elders from abuse, neglect and exploitation, and improve the quality of their lives.

A Conversation with Baruch Bush

Baruch Bush, Barbra Cockerham,  Mary Mulligan and Melody Mordock.

Robert A. Baruch Bush, co-author with Joseph P. Folger of The Promise of Mediation joined the Mediation Center staff and volunteers for a conversation about transformative mediation, the history of the mediation field among others.  It was a rare treat to have Professor Bush join us here in Dutchess County.  He signed mediators' copies of The Promise as well as copies ofTransformative Mediation: A Sourcebook: Resources for Conflict Intervention Practitioners and Programs, a new joint publication of the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation and the Association for Conflict Resolution. The new book combines research and many applications of transformative practice.  Mediators enjoyed the opportunity to talk with Professor Bush in an intimate setting.  For more information about the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation go to 

http://www.transformativemediation.org/

Mediation Center Staff Shine

Congratulations to Bill Valente who was awarded the Social Work Student of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) - New York Chapter.  A reception for Bill was held at Adelphi University's Poughkeepsie campus and he received the award at NASW's conference in Albany.

The Mediation Center is pleased to welcome Bonnie Allen to our staff.  Bonnie has a wealth of experience working with families, most recently as the project coordinator for the Dutchess Collaborative Reentry Project. Among her many roles, Bonnie has developed and lead parenting classes, was a facilitator for the Domestic Abuse Awareness Class and for many years, ran a women's group in the Dutchess County Jail.

Family Program Manager Bonnie Allen

Bonnie has taken over for Alexis Gowen, who recently completed her Masters in Social Work, reaching her goal of becoming a child and family therapist and is now working at Astor Services for Children and Families.  Bonnie will serve as the liaison with Family Court, working with judges as they refer families to mediation as well as accepting referrals for mediation from other sources.   She will also be coordinating the Domestic Violence and Mediation Safety Project.