The goal of the 100 Cups of Coffee Dialogue Project is to help improve community relations by providing spaces for people to come together to talk about the things that are of interest or concern to them. This includes ordinary people, community leaders from civic organizations, faith organizations, police, local leaders, educators – essentially people coming together who want to discuss a topic.
These conversations are rooted in transformative practice, a unique way of approaching conversations, which differs from traditional interventions by focusing on the interactional changes that are key to sustainably strengthening interaction. It puts decisions in the hands of the community members. Through interacting with each other, these community members will shape desired outcomes and may decide to implement specific activities beyond the dialogue. Those leading the dialogue are committed to working through community institutions and networks to build trust.
100 Cups of Coffee Dialogue Project
December 2024
“I liked talking to people from other schools.”
“…I learned that people’s experiences at other schools are similar to mine.”
“It was cool to see other people’s perspectives.”
“It was a great way to think outside the box.”
More than 120 students from 7 high schools participated in the Dutchess County Commission on Human Rights 100 Cups of Coffee Dialogue Project, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): What Does it Mean Today? at the 3rd Annual Conference Pathways to Civic Engagement: Small Places Close to Home at the FDR Presidential Library and Museum.
Students discussed articles of the UDHR as they apply to current human rights issues where they learned about themselves and each other and heard similar and differing perspectives from students in other schools.
Some said the conversation helped them to overcome fear or anxiety when speaking in groups as well as enjoying the opportunity to talk about topics they don’t talk about often.
The people who attend a 100 Cups of Coffee Dialogue, often representing different communities, is one of the unique aspects of the project.
More than 45 people including state and local elected officials, nursing home administrators and staff, high school and college students, older adults, family members, doctors and other medical professionals, and non-profits that support the older adult community, among others joined together to have conversations about a new vision for caring for older adults.
Participants resoundingly found the conversations helpful:
The conversation was very insightful in understanding the perspective of the elderly population and how they may be reluctant in seeking help because they feel it undermines their self-determination…
We identified there is a need for increased inter-generational care for which a cultural transition is needed, aided by existing models around the world.
…So many great ideas. I have a sense I can accomplish any goals.
Increased youth involvement and less community stigma was discussed, and maybe I will in the future try to discuss such issues with my community, high school, and friends.
From the first question that we worked on I learned how the one elder in my life influenced my career path.
Several participants said that they were interested in getting involved by joining the new All for One, One for All Coalition that will use these ideas to begin building a new approach to caring for older adults.
In the words of one participant,
We can do this if we work together.
For more information about the 100 Cups of Coffee Dialogue Project contact dchumanrights@dutchessny.gov.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday Morning Lights, Poughkeepsie City School District |
Saturday Morning Lights, Poughkeepsie City School District |
Marist College Student Government Association |
