The Durham Community Mediation Program has been established to assist residents in Durham Region in resolving conflict through mediation. Trained community volunteers provide the services to participants at no cost.

Purpose

Provide a fair and accessible forum through which community members in dispute can obtain quick and satisfying resolutions
Resolve issues before they escalate to the court or require by-law enforcement or police intervention
Assist in the preservation of the relationship between the parties in conflict
Promote constructive resolution skills through the mediation process

Our mediation program utilizes the F.R.I.E.N.D concept:

  • F-fairness
  • R-respect
  • I-inclusiveness
  • E-empathy
  • N-neutrality
  • D-diplomacy

When is Community Mediation Appropriate?

  • neighbourhood conflicts
  • noise, harassment, parking, theft
  • landlord-tenant disputes
  • conflicts in the home
  • parent/teen, house mates/room mates
  • relationship issues
  • workplace disputes
  • schools
  • parents, teachers, students

COMMUNITY MEDIATION IS NOT COUNSELING OR A LEGAL PROCESS. IT DOES NOT PREVENT YOU FROM TAKING OTHER COURSES OF LEGAL ACTION.

What Happens?

The Case Development

  • Parties meet privately with mediators
  • Mediators explain mediation process, answering any questions or concerns
  • Schedule a date for mediation

The Mediation

  • Uninterrupted time to express personal feelings of the conflict to the other party
  • Gain a better understanding of the other party’s perspective
  • Possibility of drafting a written agreement between the two parties

Who are the Mediators?

  • Volunteers trained in conflict resolution coming from many cultural and employment backgrounds
  • Representing a diverse, cultural, age, employment and language background
  • To request the mediation service or for further information, contact us at (905) 683-8615, ex 216 or email at dcmp@cjadurham.org