Mediation
Everyone experiences conflict. While often uncomfortable, it's normal.
​Community Resolution Centers respond to emerging needs of the community.
Inclusive
Culturally informed mediators bring diverse people together to work through difficult situations.
Impartial
Mediators help parties make their best decisions, and
do not take sides
Party-driven
Mediation is voluntary, confidential, and parties determine the outcome.
Accessible
No one is turned away for an inability to pay. All Centers offer a sliding scale for services.
Eastern Oregon Mediation Center,
a program of the
Union County Sheriff's department.Â
Clackamas County Resolution Services
Case Studies:
Community Mediation
Coming to Agreement in Three Languages
Two youths who were dating had gotten into an argument that escalated into a physical fight in a public place. Police referred both youth to the juvenile department who brought in Community Resolution Center to support a restorative dialogue. The parents were supportive of the idea of a dialogue, yet one family spoke Spanish and the other family spoke Mam. To overcome the lack of Mam language interpretation services, the mediator connected with the school district to identify a trusted local interpreter. Most questions and statements went through two interpretations, and it developed a collaborative effort where everyone in the room was actively involved. Through listening and connecting, the two families restored respectful communication and set agreements about future healthy lines of communication. A community supported these families to help them find the best path forward.
Impact on Family Opens Understanding
A teenage boy assaulted another boy from his school. The boy who created the harm agreed to join a dialogue. At the mediation were the offender his mother, and the mother of the victim; the victim chose not to attend. The mothers were from different cultural backgrounds, and in sharing of stories, they developed an shared understanding and empathy between one another as mothers. The offender's mother expressed shame and disappointment due to the behavior of her son. The victim's mother expressed empathy and understanding as she would also feel the same, had her son been the offender. Both mothers were able to connect as mothers across cultural and situational differences.  The offending party was impacted as he observed how his behavior impacted the mother of the victim as well as the impact on his own mother's emotions. The bonding of the mothers allowed the offending party to broaden his understanding of the impact of his actions and allow for more thoughtful choices in the future.
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What is mediation?Mediation brings people together to work through difficult situations. Mediators are impartial, do not take sides and help everyone find their best path forward. It’s voluntary, confidential, and the decision-making authority rests with the parties themselves. In mediation, a mediator guides participants through difficult conversations, providing a safe environment to discuss their conflict. The mediator will: Actively listen allowing everyone an opportunity to build greater understanding. Be impartial and not takes sides, give advice, or make judgments. Guide the participants through a collaborative problem solving process during which participants can develop solutions that meet their needs.
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What is restorative justice?Restorative Justice is an impact-centered community response to crime and other misconduct that focuses on healing harm caused to victims and survivors by facilitating meaningful accountability processes with those responsible. The goal of Restorative Justice is the creation of safe and healthy communities. This happens best when there are opportunities for people to have their lived experience acknowledged, their needs met, and when those who have both caused and suffered harm can restore relationships with others and their communities. http://rjoregon.org/what-is-rj
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Is community mediation only in Oregon?Resolution Oregon is a member of the National Association of Community Mediation (NAFCM). To learn more about the national movement, check out the NAFCM site below.
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When did community mediation begin?Community mediation in the United States began in the 1960s during the civil rights movement as efforts to achieve racial, ethnic, class and gender equality gained momentum. The federal government nurtured the development of community mediation by embedding the Community Relations Service (CRS) within the Department of Justice in the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Finding that the capacity for resolution of community civic issues was within the community itself, not necessarily the institutional structures designed to address such conflict, neighborhoods with localized conflict resolution services sprouted nationwide.
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How much do services cost?No one is denied services for an inability to pay. Community Resolution Centers provide high-quality professional services at accessible rates. Some community resolution centers offer all free services,All Resolution Oregon community centers offer a sliding scale that starts at free. Some programs may be free for all. Connect with a Community Resolution Center.
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How can I make a difference?There are many ways you can help! Community Resolution Centers welcome contributions of; legal advice, website design, public relations, press connections, photography/videography, animation, brochure/flier design, contribute testimonials, be a mediator, be a community ambassador, and most accept financial donations of any size. Contact your Community Resolution Center or reach out to the statewide office.
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Are services provided in other languages besides English?Yes. Interpretation services are provided for many languages. When an interpretation service does not offer a specific language, Community Resolution Centers will reach out to school districts and other community groups to seek out trusted interpreters.
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¿Se ofrecen servicios en español?SÃ, comunÃquese con el centro de resolución de su comunidad para explorar. Algunos centros cuentan con personal que habla español y algunos centros utilizan servicios de interpretación. Q: Are Spanish language services offered? A: Yes, reach out to your community resolution center to explore. Some centers have Spanish speaking staff and some centers utilize interpretations services.
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How do I become a mediator?Step 1. Find a Basic Mediation Training with your local Community Resolution Center. Most Basic Mediation Trainings are between 32-40 hours and vary from in-person, virtual, hybrid and have different training schedules. Step 2. Many find it helpful to volunteer with their Community Resolution Center once completing the training. This provides valuable mentorship, networking opportunities and experience to enhance and hone in on the skills just learned. Step 3. As your skills develop and you become an excellent mediator, many begin their own mediation private practice and continue work with ’s through contracts, volunteering and fee for services. Many mediators go on to complete additional training to qualify as a General Civil Mediator and mediate court-related cases. Many successful private practice mediators in Oregon started their career at their Community Resolution Center where they found opportunities to hone their skills, gain new partnerships and professional guidance and to access to paid work.
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What if I'm interested in the skills but don't want to become a "Mediator?"The Basic Mediation Training and other shorter trainings that teach Listening Skills and Conflict Management Skills, are for everyone. Even if you have no interest in becoming a Mediator, the Basic Mediation Training provides practical skills to better navigate conflict, negotiate solutions and help others find solutions to their issues. All of these skills can be helpful in any career path and profession. Connect with the Community Resolution Center to learn about upcoming community education offerings.