named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Conflict Coaching
One-on-one sessions with a conflict coach to help individuals develop strategies for managing personal disputes when the other party refuses mediation.
Lemon Law Arbitration
Administers arbitration for consumers with defective vehicles or wheelchairs under New York State Lemon Law, in partnership with the NYS Attorney General’s Office.
Mediation Services
Provides confidential, voluntary mediation for disputes including family, housing, neighbor, school, and custody issues, facilitated by trained neutral mediators.
Trainings and Consultations
Offers customized conflict resolution training for schools, organizations, and professionals, including workshops on restorative practices and communication skills.
Youth and School Programs
Facilitates peer mediation and conflict resolution workshops in local schools for students in grades 4–7, focusing on transitions and restorative practices.
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Conflict Mediation & Resolution Services 3 activities
- Conflict coaching servicesOffers one-on-one conflict coaching sessions lasting one to two hours (typically around 1.5 hours) to help individuals develop skills and strategies for managing conflict, with follow-up activities assigned. Services are provided at a standard rate of $25–$50 per hour on a sliding scale, with fee support available.
- Customized conflict resolution training and workshopsOffers customized conflict resolution training, workshops, and restorative practices for professionals, schools, organizations, and students in grades 4–7, covering topics such as communication, mediation, and restorative justice. Includes specific offerings like the 5-hour Forever Parents training class for $80 per participant.
- Mediation services for community and legal disputesProvides impartial mediation services in a confidential and neutral setting to support constructive dialogue between parties in dispute, including cases related to family, housing, business, workplace, school, neighbor, custody and visitation, special education, elder issues, probate, and agricultural matters. Services are offered for $25 per person with fee waivers available, and sessions typically last about two hours, scheduled approximately two weeks after initial contact.
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Restorative Justice and Peer Mediation Programs 1 activity
- Restorative justice servicesProvides restorative justice services as an alternative to criminal prosecution, facilitating dialogue between affected parties to address harm, encourage accountability, and restore relationships.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Lemon Law and vehicle-related arbitration programsOperates the Lemon Law Arbitration Program to resolve disputes involving defective new or used motor vehicles, providing an independent forum where trained arbitrators review evidence and issue binding decisions on consumer eligibility for refunds or replacement vehicles. Also provides arbitration for defective new wheelchairs and administers the Lease Excess Wear and Damage Program to contest charges on leased vehicles in New York State.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$166K
Contributions & grants$161K97%
Program service revenue$1K1%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$4K
expenses
Total expenses$186K
Program expenses77%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$134K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$130K
Cash$110K
Investments$0
Liabilities$5K
Net assets$124K
Liquid reserves7.1 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -25.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAWN WALLANT | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $68K |
board members · 5
- BRENDA ECKSTEIN — BOARD MEMBER
- CLEVELAND SAMUELS — PRESIDENT AND TREASURER
- DARWIN ABRAHAM — BOARD MEMBER
- JACQUELINE DUNN — BOARD MEMBER
- STUART BRESLOW — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 9
Who they work with
- Dawn Wallant Partner — Executive Director who leads tailored training and consultation services.
- NYS Agricultural Mediation Program Partner — Provides agricultural mediation services as part of a state-affiliated program.
- NYS Attorney General’s Office Government — Holds the contract with NYSDRA to administer the Lemon Law Arbitration Program, under which Common Ground operates as a service provider.
- NYS Unified Court System Government — Contract partner for providing mediation and alternative dispute resolution services
- New York State Government — Administers Lemon Law arbitration under New York State statute.
- New York State Agricultural Mediation Program Partner — Collaborates to provide agricultural mediation services in Columbia and Greene Counties.
- New York State Dispute Resolution Association Network — Professional association in which leadership has served, including as Vice President of the Board
- New York State Dispute Resolution Association Partner — Administers the Lemon Law Arbitration Program and refers cases to Common Ground for dispute resolution services.
- Not specified Partner — Partnership details not specified on the page.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Circle Process for Relational Restorationmethodology: circle_processBy using structured circle processes that emphasize deep listening and equitable participation, communities rebuild trust and restore relationships after conflict because the format fosters empathy, accountability, and collective healing in non-hierarchical settings.
- Communication Barrier Removal for Mutual Understandingmethodology: communication-barrier-removalBy identifying and removing structural and emotional communication barriers, individuals in conflict are empowered to achieve mutual understanding and find common ground, because effective dialogue is foundational to sustainable resolution.
- Conflict Coaching for Individual Empowermentmethodology: conflict_coachingBy offering one-on-one conflict coaching, individuals develop personalized strategies and skills to manage disputes independently, especially when mediation is not possible, because building internal capacity leads to long-term conflict resilience.
- Participant-Empowered Mediation Modelmethodology: participant-empowered_mediationBy using a self-directed, facilitator-supported mediation process, parties in conflict create their own agreements, which increases ownership and adherence to resolutions because the outcomes emerge from mutual understanding rather than external imposition.
- Sliding Scale and Grant-Funded Accessibility Modelmethodology: sliding_scale_pricingBy using income-based sliding scale fees, fee waivers, and grant funding, the organization ensures access to dispute resolution services regardless of economic status, because financial barriers prevent equitable participation in conflict resolution processes.