Empowered Pathways

In 2023, NYS Office of Court Administration (NYSOCA) selected Empowered Pathways to be the Facilitators for the newly formed Mohawk Valley Hate & Bias Unit (HBPU). As the facilitators we led the HBPU members through several sessions that helped identify their purpose, mission, and community activities.Empowered Pathways secured a new five-year contract with NYSOCA to provide onsite child custody and visitation mediation for Families in Herkimer County Family Court. These services also include petition assistance for parents in Family Court. This expands our mediation services to include three counties which include Oneida, Madision and Herkimer Counties.Our Youth services have continued to provide School Attendance Mediation services to help students who are struggling with chronic absenteeism. These services include restorative practices such as Family Team Meetings, Family Group Conferencing, and Conflict Coaching. In 2023, we began actively working with the Oneida County Public Defender's Office to provide Conflict Coaching services for defendents. We also conducted our first in-person Basic Community Mediation training since the pandemic with five new mediators completing the training, post-training apprenticeship, and certification process.In November 2023, we participated in the HBPU sponsored premier of Eden's Garden, a trailblazing film centered on stories of the experience of Trans men. Staff were available at both screenings of the film to talk with attendees and distribute information.Our CDRC Director graduated from the Center of Leadership Excellence's Leadership Mohawk Valley program in June 2023. Our agency Volunteer Recognition and Annual Meeting took place on October 19, 2023. Recognition Awards included Mediator of the Year, Youth Services Program Volunter of the Year, SDMC Panel Member of the Year, the Board President's Award, the Executive Director's Award, and the Luminary Award.Empowered Pathways Staff develped two training videos focused on the Family Group Conference restorative practice process for local social workers and service providers.