It’s rough out there. Wars, atrocities, mass shootings, global warming, toxic polarization, free-floating anger and anxiety. As I talk to people around me, I find many are distracted and off-center.
The misunderstandings, assumptions and judgments between generations cause some real conflicts. It is natural for people to believe the way they were raised, the time they grew up and the standards they considered as the norm are superior to other generations’ ways of being. Just like my grandmother and her hand-cranked dryer, it is hard to adopt to new ways.
When my grandmother handed me the wet clothes and told me to “put them through the wringer,” I had no idea what to do. “Go ahead, don’t dawdle. Get those clothes done.”
This month I ask you to get out your reading glasses and absorb some new ideas from various authors. I’d like to introduce you to writers who are expanding knowledge in the field of conflict resolution and connected topics. Happy reading!
MV Mediation is pleased to announce a $2,500 grant from the Martha’s Vineyard Bank Charitable Foundation to support the Youth Mediation Program and Peace Curriculum. The Peace Curriculum, developed by Executive Director Sara Barnes, is a 10-week conflict resolution and positive communication program designed to teach conflict resolution to the students of Martha’s Vineyard. Using integrative and hands-on activities, students learn to apply skills to resolve conflict in their day-to-day lives.
We are finishing up with the 4th grades at the Edgartown School. Next comes the 3rd grade. We are working on making a role play video with the Charter School group. Our plan next school year is to expand our reach. Do you know of a school where our work is needed? We'd like to get started early in the school year.
In March we collaborated with MV Community Services Island Wide Youth Collaborative and hosted a Teens Life Skills Workshop. Teens participated in interactive conversation and activities where they learned how to make a budget and understand the difference between needs and wants concerning finances and their implication in conflicts and disputes.
This month, MV Mediation Youth Program is excited to join the school communities of the Martha's Vineyard Charter School and the Edgartown School. The MV Mediation Youth Program will teach the processes of conflict resolution and interactive workshops, activities, games, discussions, and role plays, leading to students' awareness of conflict resolution tools and strategies.
This month, MV Mediation Youth Program is excited to join the school communities of the Martha's Vineyard Charter School and the Edgartown School. The MV Mediation Youth Program will teach the processes of conflict resolution and interactive workshops, activities, games, discussions, and role plays, leading to students' awareness of conflict resolution tools and strategies.
