Crown Heights Community Mediation Center Director, Amy Ellenbogen (center) with corps members Pete Martin,
Ariana Siegel, Toluwalashe Davies, and Aaron Dorfman (left to right) 

Every year, the Mediation Center is lucky enough to have dedicated people join our team as full time volunteers through the Center for Court Innovation’s Juvenile Justice Americorps Program, and AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps.

This year we had a fantastic team of two Americorps members and two Avodah corps members. Pete Martin focused on YO S.O.S. and worked with the artists for Arts to End Violence; Toluwalashe Davies ran our Neighbor Services and organized the Kingston Avenue Festival and the Monday Movie Nights; Ariana Siegel was our Special Projects Coordinator and helped with coordinating volunteers, the S.O.S. Clergy Action Network, and our blog.  Halfway through the year, we were lucky enough to have Aaron Dorfman join the team and assist with the S.O.S. program activities. 

Lizzie Dewan, who has served as our Operations Coordinator and Program Planner, also started her time with us through CCI’s Americorps program. Lizzie has been managing our office operations, and has been integral in our neighborhood services and planning events such as Arts to End Violence and the Kingston Avenue Festival. This year, she also served as a staff member for our YO S.O.S. program, leading workshops and mentoring youth. 

All five of these wonderful staff members are leaving this week. They contributed an incredible amount of positive energy, creative thought, and good will to our work. We wish them lots of luck with their new endeavors. Pete, Lashe, Aaron, Ariana, and Lizzie– you will be missed!
Please enjoy this video that Ariana Siegel made for our staff farewell to them.