Mediation Success through the Eyes of a Mediator

by Elizabeth Larsen

The first case I solo mediated at New York Peace Institute was a Small Claims Court diversion case involving two iconic West Village institutions. It was a riotous success with colorful characters and a heck of a lot of fun to mediate. Though mediation is confidential and we don’t reveal information about our cases without the consent of the parties, these particular clients described themselves as the perfect parties for mediation and asked that we profile their experience with us.

Guest post: From suspension to restoration on Coney Island.

Our Restorative Justice Coordinator Skye Roper-Moses and Assistant Principal Calise working with a student at Rachel Carson High School. (r-l).

Alternatives to Suspension: Rachel Carson High School and Restorative Justice By Anne Marie McFadyen and Emily Sernaker

Michael Calise was tired of suspending students. As a high school Assistant Principal, suspension was one of his only available consequences. Looking for other options, he signed up to attend a Restorative Justice Conference hoping he would discover more effective ways of approaching school discipline.

“There are a lot of mandates to get rid of kids when there’s a problem,” says Mr. Calise. “But it doesn’t work. It doesn’t decrease the recidivism rate. Every time we decided to suspend, it never actually fixed the interaction”.

Extra civil court: Judge Cannatarodge Cannataro

Folks, here’s a very special guest blog from my wonderful colleagues JoAn and Emily!JoAn Pangilinan-Taylor and Judge Cannataro in Manhattan Civil Court

Empowering People in Civil Court:

An Interview with the Honorable Judge Anthony Cannataro

By JoAn Pangilinan-Taylor and Emily Sernaker

New York Peace Institute deploys specially-trained mediators in Manhattan and Brooklyn Civil Court to help people resolve financial and civil matters. We offer this free resource with the support of the Unified Court System of New York and Civil Court judges. Manhattan Civil Court Supervising Judge Anthony Cannataro sat down with us to discuss our partnership and why this innovative approach works.  

Get to know a peace partner — Ana Espada, Advocates for Children!

Folks, we’re so lucky to work with amazing organizations, advocates and partners in our mission to build peace in New York City and beyond. This is the first article in a series profiling our wonderful peace partners, written by our very own Emily Sernaker, Development and Outreach Officer.A Special Thank You to Advocates for Children’s Ana Espada

By Emily Sernaker

Today we honor Ana Espada, an incredible education advocate! Ana has been providing specialized support and resources to children with disabilities and disciplinary issues since 1988. As a Co-Director and Parent Information Specialist at Advocates for Children, Ana changes students’ lives by helping them address educational challenges.

PRESS RELEASE: Brooklyn Community Foundation’s Restorative Justice Project

Here’s Brooklyn Community Foundation’s Press Release announcing their Restorative Justice Project. We’re honored to be working with them at the Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies in Coney Island.

Brooklyn Community Foundation Funds Restorative Justice Programs in 4 Brooklyn Schools to Reduce Suspensions and Arrests: 

Nonprofits to Partner with Schools for 4-Year Pilot Initiative in Collaboration with NYC DOE and Mayor’s Leadership Team on School Climate and Discipline

October 15, 2015 (Brooklyn, NY) – Today, Brooklyn Community Foundation announces grants to four expert restorative justice providers to launch full-time, in-school programs in four Brooklyn public schools beginning this fall, via the new Brooklyn Restorative Justice Project.