POUGHKEEPSIE— “I think it’s the people and the staff that should be honored,” said retired judge Damian Amodeo recently. Judge Amodeo was honored with the Inspired Leadership Award at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Mediation Center of Dutchess County.

The staff and volunteer mediators at the center, according to Amodeo, made things “easier” for him while on the judge’s bench.

“Great help to the court system,” he commented about the center’s programs.

Some of the programs the center, which is located on North Hamilton Street in Poughkeepsie, offers are family mediation programs, community programs and an elder mediation program. The elder mediation program is one of the newer programs the center offers. The programs can serve anyone in the county.

“We certainly hope to raise money for our programs,” said Jody Miller, Executive Director of the Center, about the anniversary celebration, which was held on April 2 at The Grandview in Poughkeepsie.

Our second goal is “to get our message out to more people,” remarked Miller.

Ron Lipp was one of the organizers of the 25th celebration and a mediator. He stated about the event that he hoped “we recognize some important individuals and organizations in our community” and have fun while raising money.

Dr. Melody Mordock was one of the first volunteer mediators when the center began 25 years ago.

When the center first opened, according to Dr. Mordock, there were many community events, community attractions in which people looked to the center to help with mediation.

“You felt a tremendous bond with the other mediators. We wanted to see the center become strong and vibrant. There was a sense of camaraderie,” she said.

That forum, for having dialogues between officers and civilians to ease some of the tensions, was a large grant program, stated Mordock.

Mordock, who still does mediation work, is trained in elder mediation, and family court mediation.

“The passion has remained for those 20 years,” she noted.

She is now on the board and is the board president.

“I think that we chose well,” Mordock said of Judge Amodeo and Vassar College. Vassar College was awarded the with the Community Empowerment Award.

“I worked in Judge Amodeo’s courtroom for a long time. He’s a man of insight and integrity,” stated Mordock. She said the center is very grateful to Vassar College for allowing the center to use some of the college’s rooms for its programs.

“Anything that can shorten conflict is beneficial to all,” said Judge Amodeo. He said when conflict can be dealt with, it especially reduces the trauma to the children involved.

“If people give the process a chance, they will find the opportunity to discuss and the conflicts they’re involved with will be reduced,” said the judge.