Wayne County Dispute Resolution Center (WCDRC), a community based nonprofit organization, is currently seeking volunteers for mediation training to further its mission of helping change the culture of conflict in Wayne County.
"The stress and consequences of conflict can take a terrible toll on individuals and families, especially those with limited resources," said Bernard Dempsey, WCDRC's executive director. "With mediation, we help to peacefully resolve conflicts efficiently and effectively. Last year, our staff and volunteers mediated 2,300 conflicts, helping more than 5,000 people."
According to Dempsey, the key to WCDRC's success is volunteer mediators from diverse backgrounds, who are trained to mediate a variety of general civil cases, including neighborhood disputes, estate and guardianship disagreements, parenting disputes, school truancy issues, consumer disputes and family disagreements. Many cases are referred to WCDRC by local courts and schools In Wayne County.
Mediations are conducted at WCDRC's office in Dearborn as well as in courthouses and schools throughout Wayne County.
To become a mediator, volunteers must take a state approved 40-hour training session. Each class runs from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The first class will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2, with subsequent classes on Thursdays, Nov. 7 and 14; and Fridays, Nov. 8 and 15. Training is held at WCDRC's office in the Dearborn Atrium Office Center at 835 Mason Street, Suite C300 in Dearborn.
"Mediators tell us time and again how personally rewarding it is to help others resolve conflicts," said Dempsey. "Our volunteers come from all walks of life, and to ensure a good fit, we start with an in-person interview before they take the training."
To learn more about Wayne County Dispute Resolution Center and volunteer mediation, visit www.wcdrc.org.
If interested in attending the November training session, volunteers are encouraged to call 313-561-3500 soon as class size is limited.
Published: Wed, Sep 18, 2019
