When those in conflict are open to hearing each other out, parties can find common ground, settle conflict and develop practical and permanent solutions. Sometimes a neutral third party is helpful in facilitating the discussion.
Restorative Community Mediation
Restorative Community Mediation is a structured process that assists parties in resolving conflict. The process is conducted by professionally trained mediators. Mediators are neutral and do not decide the outcome. Instead, the parties themselves maintain complete control of the outcome. The process encourages participants to understand differing positions, work to repair relationships and come to a resolution.
The mediator helped us...
“The mediator helped us listen to each other, giving us control over what we decided and making it our own. As a way of working through problems and issues that once seemed unmanageable, this was far preferable than going to court.”
- Restorative Community Mediation Participant
Mediators meet with each party separately to enable participants to share their story and ask questions about the process. After these meetings occur, a time to bring all parties together is scheduled. The goal of the process is not to determine which party is right or wrong, but to come to a mutually agreed upon solution that allows participants to move past the conflict and improve future interactions.
Appropriate situations for mediation include pet complaints, noise disturbances, interpersonal conflicts and landlord/tenant issues. Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership does not mediate divorce or child custody cases. Mediation is not legally binding.
Restorative Community Mediation and is a confidential service offered free of charge to individuals and organizations in the Estes Valley. To be considered for either program, all involved parties must be willing to actively participate in good faith. Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership staff will assist in determining which program is best suited for each situation.
- Participants save time and money
- Participants begin to reconcile differences, repair relationships and develop more collaborative approaches to problem-solving
- Participants become more effective at addressing future conflicts and issues
- Conflicts within the community are diffused, thus civil matters do not become criminal matters
- The burden on the court system is lessened