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Funded by the Annual Grant Cycle from the AAA-ICDR Foundation, Roca, Inc.'s Rewire4 program is making significant strides in advancing effective policing. By training over 5,000 police and corrections officers, this initiative utilizes brain science and trauma-informed conflict resolution to enhance officers’ engagement with young people and improve community relations. Recently, Roca shared the results of the first stage of an 18-month evaluation, featuring insights from a panel of experts. Learn more about the impact of Rewire4 in the Foundation blog: https://bit.ly/4fLGGB6

The AAA-ICDR Foundation proudly recognizes the 2024 HBCU Diversity Scholarship recipients from Howard University School of Law and North Carolina Central University School of Law. The Foundation is honored to support Sheila Rodriguez Padron, Ivey Foster, Destiny Fulton, and Katelyn Riddle from North Carolina Central University School of Law, and Lee Williams and Sarah Shafik from Howard University School of Law. Through these scholarships, the Foundation aims to promote diversity and inclusion in the field of alternative dispute resolution. Learn more about their achievements and the impact of this initiative: https://bit.ly/48r6qjJ

Join us for a can’t-miss AAA-ICDR Foundation webinar: “National Civil Discourse and Engagement” on January 15, 2025, 1–2 pm ET. Hear from leaders in civil discourse and grant partners as they share meaningful insights. This event will explore the power of reviving civility, solving problems across divides, and advancing democracy through civic education. Featured speakers include Bruce Meyerson and Tracey Frisch from the AAA-ICDR Foundation, Keith Allred from the National Institute for Civil Discourse, Matt Leighninger from the National Civic League, and Sarah Suggs from the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute for American Democracy. Register here: https://bit.ly/3NEDFGk

Education is the cornerstone of civic engagement. The AAA-ICDR Foundation supports the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute for American Democracy’s program Civics for Life, which provides a variety of resources to foster civic understanding for all ages, from middle school students to adults. Explore the Institute’s free online forum with resources designed to clarify how government functions and how legislation is created. Discover even more ways to expand your civic knowledge here: https://bit.ly/4es7x4S

In just a few years, the AAA-ICDR Foundation has dedicated $631,777 to advancing diversity at all levels of dispute resolution. This includes individual scholarships of up to $2,000 for diverse students and professionals to pursue education in #ADR, as well as partnerships with Howard University Law School and North Carolina Central University Law School to provide scholarships to students enrolled in alternative dispute resolutions programs. The Foundation’s commitment to these scholarships is helping build a more diverse and inclusive ADR community, paving the way for a more just and peaceful future where all voices are represented. Take the first step and apply for a diversity scholarship today. https://bit.ly/4ebWw6T

On October 17th, Conflict Resolution Day highlights the importance of promoting peace through effective #ADR solutions. The AAA-ICDR Foundation, in partnership with the American Arbitration Association, is dedicated to this cause, exemplified by a $150,000 Foundation grant awarded to the Western Justice Center (WJC) to support conflict resolution education in California schools. Interested in learning more about this vital partnership and its role in fostering peaceful communities? Hear insights from Tracey Frisch, AAA-ICDR Foundation executive director and chair of the grants committee; and Elissa Barrett, executive director of WJC and Shaune Gatlin, WJC director of conflict resolution education programs, as they discuss this impactful initiative. Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/3YqVChS

Civic engagement begins with education. To support this goal, AAA-ICDR Foundation grantee Sandra Day O'Connor Institute launched Civics for Life to address the knowledge gap of countless Americans who did not receive civics education through school. These free resources empower individuals to understand government and actively participate in democracy. Through civics education, the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute is committed to building a world of citizens who expect to exercise power and responsibility together, working towards the AAA-ICDR Foundation’s goal of bridging community conflict. Learn more about the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute and access the Constitution Series here: https://bit.ly/4es7x4S

As part of Conflict Resolution Month in October, the AAA-ICDR Foundation, in partnership with the American Arbitration Association, are spotlighting the incredible work of their grantees in advancing fair and accessible #ADR solutions. We spoke with the AAA-ICDR President and CEO Bridget Mary McCormack and Tracey Frisch, AAA-ICDR Foundation executive director, Resolution Systems Institute (RSI) CEO Heather Fogg and RSI Director of Research Jennifer Shack about their groundbreaking ODR Party Engagement (OPEN) Project. Supported by a $147,000 grant through the Foundation’s Annual Grant Cycle, RSI is working to reduce default rates and improve accessibility for self-represented litigants in court-referred online dispute resolution. Check out the complete interview to see how this initiative is making an impact: https://bit.ly/3Yife7N

On October 22nd, the NAFCM: National Association for Community Mediation invites you to join an open conversation on engaging with democracy. This Big Tuesday event will feature discussions on how community mediation centers can contribute to the democratic process through partnerships, community resilience, and de-escalation skills. Tracey Frisch, AAA-ICDR Foundation executive director and chair of the grants committee, will be sharing how the AAA-ICDR Foundation is supporting this critical work. The session includes presentations from agencies involved in the upcoming election and concludes with actionable steps for supporting community engagement post-election. Register today: https://bit.ly/483Nw2d

Interested in how the AAA-ICDR Foundation is making a difference? Stay informed with the quarterly newsletter. The recently released Q3 letter explores how AAA-ICDR Foundation funding has significantly advanced key projects. Highlights include the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute’s initiative to improve crisis responses and a new community dialogue toolbox from the National Association for Community Mediation. The newsletter also features newly released reports from three U.S. cities capturing efforts to improve public meetings, the expansion of peer mediation in schools through a districtwide partnership in California, and a guide for navigating campus conflicts. Discover how these efforts are making an impact and stay informed of future developments when you subscribe today: https://bit.ly/4evCsgJ