Community Dispute Settlement Center (CDSC)

A reminder that applications are open for our new Community Mediators Program. We’re offering free training to people who volunteer with us for a year. Please spread the word. We will preference applications before March 17. For more info and to apply, see: tinyurl.com/jcrss24j

?? 2025 CCT Project Highlight ?? Conflict is everywhere—but resolving it doesn’t have to be costly or combative. Since 1979, the Community Dispute Settlement Center (CDSC), a small not-for-profit mediation and training center, has provided affordable, effective mediation and conflict resolution training in areas like divorce, housing, and more. With a dedicated team of volunteer mediators, training programs in conflict management, and broad community outreach, CDSC empowers individuals to navigate disputes. In the past fiscal year, CDSC has seen over 60% growth in the number of people served—and they're just getting started. Yet, despite its impact, CDSC remains less well-known than other social services, relying heavily on referrals. To expand its reach and connect with new clients for mediation and workshops, CDSC seeks marketing expertise from CCT to define their primary audience groups and articulate their message and impact. The CCT team will be invited to work with Board members at their annual retreat in March as part of their engagement. ?? Know someone who could benefit from mediation services or conflict resolution training? Help us spread the word! ?? #Mediation #ConflictResolution #CommunityImpact #cctboston #nonprofit #bostonvolunteer #bostonconsulting #probonoconsulting #nonprofitorganization #nonprofitvolunteer Community Dispute Settlement Center (CDSC), Susan Sherwin, MBA, Laurence Sarner, Lisa Klein, Jenalle (Jingye) Huang, Brian Balut, Ian Baldwin, RA, CPHB, Nancy Csaplar, Ronni Skerker, Per Dutton

Last week we offered six short Conflict Skills Workshops to over 100 sixth graders at Wright Science and Technology Academy in Chelsea. It was a whirlwind of a day, even with three trainers, but great to hear how students approached new communication skills!

Last week we delivered another training to MIT graduate students who will serve as Resources for Easing Friction and Stress (REFS) for their peers. We debunked negative ideas about conflict, taught a coaching framework and offered lots of chances to practice!

We got a grant from the Massachusetts Bar Foundation to fund translation of our key mediation documents and resources that we provide to clients. We look forward to expanding the number of people who can use our services with these resources! For an English version of our multilingual image, see the second photo.

Our new Community Mediators Program offers free training and practice to trainees who volunteer with us for a year. We would love volunteers who speak multiple languages or with experience in underserved communities. For more info and to apply, see: tinyurl.com/jcrss24j

We can’t believe that 2024 is drawing to a close. We served over 1,400 people in Fiscal Year 2024, between our mediation services and our trainings, and we’re working hard to have a strong 2025 as well. Wishing you all the best in 2025!

Yesterday we finished up a three-workshop series with young adults in ABCD’s Level Up program, a career readiness program. We taught them about conflict skills and worked on active listening. We look forward to working with a second ABCD cohort in the spring!

Our Director of Youth Programs Daniele Ozeri and our AmeriCorps Mediation and Intake Specialist Emma Knight completed two Peer Mediation Trainings in November, teaching 20 middle and high school students at the Community Charter School of Cambridge how to mediate, and teaching peer mediation skills to 9 students and 3 staff at Chelsea High School (pictured here). Our work with Chelsea High School is the direct result of our donors’ generosity. Hats off to our small but dedicated youth team!

Last week, 20 students at Rindge Ave Upper Campus finished an 18-hour Peer Mediation Training, learning how to mediate disputes between their peers. Here is a photo from the closing ceremony. We wish them many successful mediations!