Mediation

CRS mediation is a structured and formal process where parties in conflict convene to identify issues impacting local communities and develop agreements to address these issues. Mediation is aimed at empowering local communities to develop solutions that work for them, while offering an alternative to litigation or violence.

Overview of Mediation Services

• Voluntary participation: CRS mediation is a voluntary process by which parties attempt to resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation
• Mediated agreements: Agreements developed during a mediation session may be memorialized in a written document signed by the parties and witnessed by the mediator. These non-enforceable and good faith documents are often called memoranda of understanding or memoranda of agreement
• Confidentiality: CRS mediators maintain the participants’ confidentiality as part of the process and do not share information learned during mediation sessions with outside entities, including the media, organizations, or individuals
• Impartiality: During the mediation process, CRS does not advocate for any party, nor for any particular issue. Rather, the mediator is focused on delivering a fair and unbiased process that assists parties to develop agreements

Examples of Mediations

• Helping school administrators, parents, and students reach agreements on how to resolve racial conflicts in schools
• Working with law enforcement agencies and community groups to develop plans to improve community-police relations
• Facilitating agreements between law enforcement, faith-based groups, and civil rights organizations to address hate crimes and bias incidents impacting the local community

Program Brochures

Helping Communities Resolve Conflicts Through Mediation (PDF)