NYCID: Celebrating 25 Years of Chamber Membership
By Danielle Wiseman, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
The New York Center for Interpersonal Development, informally known as NYCID, is a Staten Island-based not-for-profit organization committed to building community and nurturing personal growth by promoting conflict management, social-emotional learning, and youth development. NYCID is dedicated to improving relationships among Staten Islanders through constructive problem-solving, effective communication, and intercultural awareness.
NYCID was founded in 1970 with the formation of the Rap Center on New Dorp Lane, a safe space for young people on Staten Island to convene, share their struggles, and receive one-on-one support from caring, invested professionals. The Rap Center was built as a response to the lack of drug-free afterschool spaces throughout the borough, and today it still operates as a haven for struggling youth. “The 1970s was an era of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll, and the founders of the Rap Center wanted to make sure that at-risk children were being supported,” says Candace Gonzalez, CEO of NYCID. “They wanted to create a supportive environment to help get kids off the streets and receive counseling, and that’s exactly what they did. The Rap Center was just the beginning.”
In 1981, the New York State Unified Court System established a program requiring that every county in New York have a Community Dispute Resolution Center (CDRC) as an alternative to criminal litigation. With the Rap Center producing such a positive impact on Staten Island, NYCID proved themselves to be a true community-based organization, and in 1982, the organization was chosen to create and manage Staten Island’s first CDRC. The CDRC exists to help individuals dispute cases through mediation and conversation rather than litigation, however it is open to all community members, regardless of whether they have a case in court. The Staten Island CDRC can help mediate any number of situations, including custody disputes, housing issues, child support, school-based services, and financial cases.
Following the success of the CDRC, NYCID began working directly in schools across Staten Island, offering not only mediation services but also workforce development, interpersonal skills, and educational support. Every year, over 5,200 4 to 24-year-olds participate in NYCID programs, resulting in 2,000 earned diplomas and 1,000 internships and job placements. “We came from very humble beginnings and grew into a mid-sized organization,” reminisces Gonzalez. “We take our mediation and conflict work and turn it into effective communication, threading that through all of our programs. Our staff is all trained in effective communication, and we stress that when working with the kids.”
NYCID serves approximately 9,000 New Yorkers each year through their various life-changing programs. While based in Staten Island, NYCID also works with residents of the other boroughs, creating a strong presence throughout New York City. In addition to the Rap Center, the CDRC, and their school-based programs, NYCID also offers after-school enrichment programs, a transfer high school, dropout prevention services, and professional development training. “We’re committed to our community, and we know that in order to build community we need to be present in our community,” emphasizes Michael DeVito, Executive Director of NYCID. “We know that if we want to nurture personal growth with the people we work with, then we have to establish long-lasting bonds and connections. When someone is in need, we show up, and we keep showing up.”
This year, NYCID is celebrating its 25th anniversary with the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. As a growing organization in 1998, NYCID joined the Chamber as an effort to get involved in Staten Island’s workforce community. “At the time, we were just starting with our workforce development initiatives,” says Gonzalez. “We felt like we could learn a lot from the Chamber, and we’re community-minded, so we felt like the Chamber was a good fit for us.”
Despite their busy schedules, DeVito and Gonzalez, and their dedicated team, are proud and active Chamber members, bringing effective communication and a positive mindset to every event that they can attend. “We like to be as involved as we possibly can,” adds Gonzalez. “We reach out if we have a question or want to partner with them. You can always count on the Chamber when you need them.”
Congratulations to NYCID on 25 years with the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, and good luck with your future endeavors!
