Conflict resolution skills are essential for navigating everyday encounters with landlords, employers, and others, but many historically marginalized people who have experienced trauma lack access to such skill-building resources. Negotiation Works partners with community organizations to provide custom courses for their clients who are returning from incarceration, experiencing homelessness, living in domestic violence shelters, or recovering from substance abuse. During sessions, participants role-play scenarios familiar with their lived experiences practicing active listening, effective communication, and other strategies. Course graduates become ambassadors, meeting regularly to continue mutual problem-solving. Partners also take part in professional development workshops so they have the tools to better advocate on their clients’ behalf. Improved relationships, employment, and housing situations cumulate impact, one positive interaction at a time.
Headquarters: DC-Ward 3
Where They Operate: DC-Citywide; DC-Ward 6; DC-Ward 7; DC-Ward 8; VA-City of Alexandria
Age Groups Served: Young adult (18-24); Adult (25-49); Seniors (50+)
Awards & Recognition
In Spring 2024, our Executive Director received a “Hero of Hope” award from the DC Department of Corrections for making extraordinary contributions to supporting the residents of the DC Jail.
In March 2024, we were awarded a grant as one of the eleven recipients of the DC Office of Attorney General's "Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Violence Prevention Grant Program."
We were featured in the Center for Nonprofit Advancement's 2024 annual Nonprofit Agenda, which is distributed to 10,000 nonprofit professionals, government agencies, and others. The piece focused on how our organization builds peace by supporting self-advocacy and negotiation skills.
Our Ambassador and program graduate Lossou Wallace wrote a piece featured in the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's "Raising Voices of Rentry Project" during Second Chance Month, April 2024.
Press
- Tips to resolve disagreements and conflicts in a civil manner during these polarized times
Thu Nov 2 2023, WUSA9
Melissa Reinberg of Negotiation Works, a DC nonprofit that teaches self-advocacy and negotiation, offers 5 tips to help resolve differences.
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