Conflict Education

CDRC CDRC helps youth and adults understand the ways in which conflict affects individuals and their interactions with others. All of the education and training CDRC provides is based on what we’ve learned about conflict in the more than two decades we’ve been working with people in conflict.

CDRC understands conflict as a natural and inevitable part of relating to others. Conflict occurs because each person’s reality is unique and based upon his or her life experience. As we relate to others, whether through seemingly straight forward one-time interactions or in on-going and more complex ways, these differences sometimes cause conflict.

Conflict has physiological and emotional effects that makes it hard to be at one’s best. Conflict usually makes it harder to speak clearly and listen well. Individuals respond differently to conflict, so most people benefit by identifying the specific ways conflict is challenging for them. Learning the skills involved in listening, reflecting what you hear and thinking together about options makes it easier to keep communication positive and constructive. And since sometimes all of us need help in talking, CDRC includes information about when it may be time to ask for mediation.

Youth Training

Kid Talk and Teen Talk

Through our Kid Talk and Teen Talk Programs, CDRC provides interactive, fun and educational workshops that help young people learn to deal with conflict in constructive ways. A single one hour session can start young people thinking differently about conflict. A series of eight workshops covers the full range of material.

These workshops are carefully structured to allow young people to learn from their own experiences. This ability to use real-life situations as material for practice enhances the skill-building that results. Workshop topics include:

Introducing Conflict
Dealing with Differences
Understanding Feelings and Emotions
Dealing with Anger
Responding to Conflict in Ways that Work
Listening for Information and Feelings
Expressing Thoughts and Feelings
Coming up with Solutions

CDRC works with existing groups of young people and/or families, who can host workshops. Thanks to the generosity of funders, CDRC is able to offer a fixed number of workshops at no cost. Fees for other workshops will be negotiated based on available resources.

To get Kid Talk or Teen Talk for your group, contact us.

Read about Kid Talk in the Ithaca Journal:

"Conflict Resolution Starts Early: Newfield Program Encourages Kids to Find Alternate Solutions" April 11, 2006 (pdf)

"Kid Talk: Learning the Lessons of Life" April 19, 2006 (pdf)

Peer Mediation

CDRC can help a school or organization develop an in-house mediation program. These programs build skills in young people selected to be mediators and help all young people learn that talk works. In addition to providing mediation training to young people and adults, CDRC staff can help a school or organization develop the structure and policies that ensure a program’s success.

For more information contact us.

Adult Training

Interface

CDRC - Interface The Interface Division of CDRC offers training for several hours or several days tailored to meet the needs of individuals, businesses and organizations. Training sessions are interactive, skills-based and focus on topics such as “Working with Difficult Clients” and “Making Meetings Work.” Interface develops planning processes for business and organizational retreats and strategic planning initiatives. Clients benefit by involving people in positive planning and decision-making. Fees for Interface services are negotiated with the client. For more information, contact Interface

Educational Outreach

CDRC provides outreach presentations to groups of all ages and sizes, helping them think differently about conflict and about how mediation can be useful when communication breaks down. The content of these presentations varies based on the group addressed. To schedule an outreach presentation, contact us.

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Serving Chemung, Schuyler and Tompkins Counties

“Excellent! The group was interactive, the materials and methods easy to follow (clear, concise, user friendly) and the instructors energetic, knowledgeable, and fun.”

“The content was comprehensive, yet included specifics to really provide in-depth coverage.”

“The instructors were dynamic and serious in their presentation. I feel that I enjoyed as I learned and feel confident in my ability. Great experience!”
- From participants in CDRC workshops