IS THERE SUCH A THING AS FREE MEDIATION?

My recent posting was on large commercial providers of mediation services, which prompted questions about low cost or free mediation services. 

Community mediation programs provide mediators for a wide variety of disputes. These vary from center to center but can include disputes between neighbors, landlord and tenants, roommates, homeowner’s associations, consumers and merchants, communities, families and workplaces. Community mediation programs do handle many what some would call minor disputes, but community mediators have assisted in major ones as well. 

Community mediation programs typically provide sessions at no charge; some accept a minimal charge on a sliding scale. Most will not turn anyone away for lack of funds. Some encourage donations; some are supported by local United Way and grants. 

The mediators are highly trained and experienced. Furthermore, as volunteers they are doing this because they are motivated to support their community. I would say some of the most talented I have met were community mediators.

In addition to mediation as the centers rely heavily on volunteers, they provide training, and that training is available to anyone in the community. Like their mediation services, the training classes are low or no cost.

Many community mediation programs also sponsor peer mediation programs in their local schools. These programs train youth to act as mediators. School-based peer mediation programs have been documented to reduce both verbal and physical conflicts while saving counselor and administrator time. 

By 1975 there were about a dozen community mediation programs; today there are an estimated 400 or more mediation centers handling some half a million disputes annually.

One way to find a local program is to do an internet search for “neighborhood mediation [insert your city name]” and “community mediation [your city name].” Be aware that the results may also include private mediators who charge for their services.