From conflict to resolution…building community

Community mediation seeks to resolve problems within a COMMUNITY, through the efforts of the people who live or work in that community. Community mediation empowers people to work out their problems themselves. Where possible, the mediators who help resolve a dispute will reflect some of the background, culture, age and other characteristics of the people involved. Community can mean any setting where people interact together such as a neighbourhood, a workplace, or a cultural group.

Community MEDIATION is a “facilitative” process: it helps people meet, talk and understand the problem without the mediator evaluating (making judgments) or expressing an opinion. It is a “transformative” process: seeking to change the way people relate, not just to solve the problem. It uses a “co-mediation” model with two mediators assigned to each case.

It is a SERVICE. The conflicts people bring are very real and very important. Everyone in the community and every conflict is important. ResolveKingston takes this work very seriously, using well-trained, reliable, supported and supervised volunteer mediators.

When Community Mediation Can Be Useful

A disagreement with a neighbour, roommate, landlord, family member or someone else can cost you peace of mind, interfere with the enjoyment of your home or neighbourhood, create stress in your life, and make you angry or afraid.
Small conflicts can become big ones, if they are not resolved quickly.
The traditional ways of resolving conflicts can be very time-consuming and expensive. They often simply don't work.
Community Mediation is an alternative way for resolving various forms of conflict. Trained volunteer mediators help people to talk about a problem in a safe and constructive way, fair to both sides.
Often, when they have a chance to hear why someone else responded in the way they did, people are better able to understand each other, and can move toward resolving the conflict.
In Community Mediation the solution is yours.

• The mediators do not take sides, or make decisions about who is right or wrong.
• There is no agreement until those involved in the conflict are satisfied.
• Agreements made through mediation are effective, because the people involved truly want them to work.

ResolveKingston also has the capacity to facilitate other restorative processes such as Family Group Conferencing and Circles, in cooperation with community partners.
Community Mediation Service is voluntary, confidential, and free for individuals.

How the mediation process works:

• A staff person will listen to your concern and explain our service.
• If you decide you want to try mediation, we will contact the other party to see if they are willing to participate.
• If you both decide to go ahead, volunteer mediators will meet with each of you privately to get more information and make sure our process will meet your needs.
• We will schedule a mediation meeting with the people involved in the conflict.
• Each party will be asked to explain their side of the issue and, in turn, listen to the other’s side.
• After discussing options, and when both parties are satisfied, a letter of understanding will be drawn up and a copy given to each participant.

Most conflicts can be resolved in one meeting.