CLUSTER Launches Police/Youth Dialogue Project

YONKERS, NY — The Westchester Mediation Center, a program of CLUSTER Community Services will be announcing the beginning of the Police/Youth Dialogue Project, at a kick-off reception on Tuesday, October 14, 2007 at 5:30PM in the Atrium of the Yonkers Riverfront Library.

The Police/Youth Dialogue is an effort to promote positive collaborations
between young adults and law enforcement officers inYonkers. 

This exciting initiative has been developed by The Westchester Mediation
Center and the Yonkers Police Department.

The project is based on a nationally recognized model call “Study
Circles” which provides a safe space for youth and police to share
their fears, concerns, misconceptions, biases, experiences and hope as
it pertains to change.

Twelve students between the ages of 14 –18 years old, who attend Gorton, Roosevelt and Riverside High Schools and Palisades Prep
have been selected to participate.

As a result of Commissioner Edmund Hartnett’s unflagging support and
encouragement, twelve Yonkers Police Officers have also volunteered to
become involved in these Dialogues.

Tajae Gaynor, Supervisor of School Based Programs for Westchester
Mediation Center stated, “We are tremendously excited about this initiative.

It is a wonderful opportunity for police and young people to speak up
in a constructive and collaborative manner and to learn from one
another.  This is how change begins.”

For more information about the Police/Youth Dialogue Initiative,
please contact Tarjae Gaynor at 914-963-6440, ext. 202.