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Press

April 21, 2020

Letter From The CEO

Dear New York Peace Community,

The current health crisis has tested all of us as individuals, families, mediators, community members and New Yorkers in immeasurable ways. Some of us are working from home for the first time. Some of us are spending more time with our family members, children and roommates. Some of us have gotten sick. Many of us have lost people dear to our hearts, and many more have lost their livelihoods. The disruption, stress, and grief we are experiencing as individuals and a community is unfathomable and unprecedented.

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April 20, 2020

NYPI Mediators Can Help with Escalating Tensions At Home

By Michele Kirschbaum, Director of Programs

As Anna Goldfarb observes in Roommates or Partner Getting on Your Nerves? Read This from the New York Times, the lockdown environment of COVID-19 is placing increasing strains on many family and roommate relationships. The article includes some excellent tips about how to manage conflict before it escalates out of control; however, readers should also know that mediation is a viable option to consider when self-help strategies don’t work.

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April 17, 2020

Apprenticeship From Afar

Training and Business Development Manager Ayanna Behin, Associate Director of Training Chris Daly, and Apprentice Ashley Smyth share how the Apprenticeship program has changed due to the current health crisis.

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April 14, 2020

Can Mediation Help Parents Deal With Joint Custody Right Now? NYPI Thinks So.

By Senior Manager Family Programs, Carol Himes

Deborah Copaken’s article entitled, “How Are Parents Supposed to Deal With Joint Custody Right Now?” (Atlantic, April 8, 2020) underscores the increased challenges the current health crisis is imposing on co-parents, as well as their children.

 

As the author observes, the COVID-19 pandemic is placing unprecedented pressures on families. Parents worry about their own health and that of their children and loved ones; they are working from home, recently unemployed, or are essential workers putting themselves and possibly their families at risk; and many are likely facing financial strains on food and rent budgets. Further, child-care is virtually nonexistent and school-aged children require additional educational support now that they are “attending” school remotely.

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April 13, 2020

NYPI Responds To Shrinking Special Education Services Amid Coronavirus Upheaval

By Senior Manager, Family Programs, Carol Himes

“NYC gives the OK to shrink special education services amid coronavirus upheaval” (Chalkbeat, April 9, 2020) underscores the increased challenges imposed on students with disabilities, their families and educators as a result of the current health crisis.

New York Peace Institute and other Community Dispute Resolution Centers (CDRCs) across New York State provide free, legally binding Special Education mediation that empowers both parents and educators to find creative and durable solutions to disputes about a student’s educational plan (IEP).

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April 9, 2020

COVID-19 PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York Peace Institute (NYPI) has served as a critical resource for communities in Brooklyn and Manhattan for almost 40 years and continues to offer services during this unprecedented health crisis due to COVID-19. Feelings of frustration and concern are now at an all-time high. New Yorkers are experiencing significant disruption, which may lead to conflict, anxiety and stress.

 

New York Peace Institute offers free services that help ease tensions and effectively address conflict. NYPI supports individuals, families and communities to break the cycle of conflict and stress and find their own creative solutions to conflict. We are now offering all of our services remotely via phone or video-conference. Interested parties should contact NYPI for assistance.

 

We can help you with:

  • Conflicts between family members
  • Co-parenting issues
  • Educational disputes between parents and schools
  • Landlord/tenant issues or disagreements with neighbors
  • A matter pending in civil or small claims court
  • Talking circles for community support
  • Facilitating a difficult conversation or providing tips for navigating conflict

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March 27, 2020

Conflict in #CloseQuarters: Activity and Conversation Starter for Kids

Training and Business Development Manager, Ayanna Behin, asked her son to draw a picture of conflict and he chose the very relateable scenario of fighting over the remote control. 

While we are all staying inside during this health crisis, many of us are experiencing conflicts related to our #CloseQuarters and all the extra time we have with our loved ones. This can be difficult for kids to understand and deal with. At New York Peace Institute, we believe that talking about it helps. And drawing does too! 

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March 25, 2020

COVID-19 Community Resources

Below you will find COVID-19 resources sorted by type of resource. At the bottom of the list, we have linked other massive resource banks compiled by dedicated community members and local organizations. We are committed to assisting our local community and grateful for all those providing necessary services during this time of crisis.READ MORE

March 2, 2020

Breaking Bread Building Bonds

New York Peace Institute is thrilled to be part of the new Breaking Bread, Building Bonds Initiative from Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. 

The initiative will organize 100 dinners hosted by NYC residents that include ten “everyday people” each representing various ethnicities, identities, and faiths. New York Peace Institute has been invited to share tips for dinner hosts and help them prepare to facilitate conversations. To that end, we have developed a tip sheet and will host info sessions and trainings for hosts throughout the year. 

You can learn more about this important new initiative and sign up to be a host or participant by clicking here: https://www.brooklyn-usa.org/breaking-bread/.