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Volunteer of the Month: Shirley Stephens Thompson
“I want to find ways to cultivate more mediators from the global majority so we can address conflicts ourselves and avoid court and law enforcement” - Shirley Thompson
We are honored to recognize Shirley Thompson as our Volunteer of the Month! Shirley has been a mediator with the Monroe County Office since 2023 although she originally trained with the Center for Dispute Settlement in the 90s. Shirley specializes in custody and visitation and workplace mediation.
Born in 1950, she listened to speeches by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and witnessed the brutality against Black people via television. This sparked her passion for racial justice and later, as an adult, her training in nonviolent communication at the MK Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence during the Occupy Rochester movement. She has been a practitioner of NVC since 2011.
Shirley has consistently demonstrated exceptional patience, insight, and support in her role as a mediator. She has a keen ability for active listening, impartiality, and observation.
Shirley has graciously stepped into the volunteer facilitator role with CDS’ Task Force Mediation for Communities of Color (TMCC). She wants the task force to engage directly with the community by meeting people where they are, like at festivals and laundromats. As a firm believer in group facilitation, she plans to share facilitator responsibilities amongst the group to ensure full participation, delegation, and visibility for all members. Center for Dispute Settlement is grateful for Shirley’s leadership and vision for mediation in communities of color.
Another testament of her stellar community service record is that she served on the Rochester City School District school board for eight years. She walked away with an appreciation for the need for those in influential positions to learn how to address conflict constructively.
Shirley was certified as a circle facilitator with Partners In Restorative Initiatives (PIRI) in 2021 and co-facilitated community-building circles for Police Accountability Board Alliance (PABA) members when she was part of that group. As a volunteer with the MK Gandhi Institute, she also facilitated NVC training at Groveland Correctional Facility and for staff in community organizations. Shirley’s dedication and persistence are unmatched as she leaves her mark as a trailblazer in our community.
As a former resident of the 14621 community, she worked with neighbors to host block parties and kickball games for the youth. She also helped lead beautification efforts to enhance the quality of life and foster connections between the residents. Further proof that she walks the walk.
In addition to her volunteer pursuits, Shirley celebrated her 50-year marriage to James last year, is mom to three adult children, a grandma to three, and soon to be great-grandma who loves karaoke, Pinochle, board games, and spending time with family.
Her Favorite Things About Being a Mediator:
- When couples come in with good rapport and she’s able to formalize it in writing
- When she’s lending something to the conversation and successful facilitation
- Amplifying the voices of the mediation participants
Recommendations for New/Aspiring Mediators
- Do your homework
- Know your triggers
- Be clear about why you want to mediate
- Be willing to do the work to get your head and your heart where they need to be
- Look inside yourself
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