Conflict Resolution Center

CRC'S MISSION IS TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO FIND LASTING AND EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO CONFLICT. MEDIATION AND RESTORATIVE SERVICES PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE FOR RESOLVING DISPUTES THAT BUILDS ON RELATIONSHIPS AND AVOIDS COSTLY AND PUNITIVE OUTCOMES.

COMMUNITY MEDIATION PROGRAM: MEDIATION SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT LOW OR NO COST TO COMMUNITY MEMBER THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA. IN MEDIATION, PARTIES ARE ABLE TO SPEAK ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS, ADDRESS THEIR NEEDS AND COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS THAT THEY FEEL ARE EQUITABLE. MINNESOTA RECEIVES FUNDING FROM OFFICE OF COLLABORATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS. COURT MEDIATION PROGRAM: MEDIATION SERVICES ARE PROVIDED HARASSMENT AND HOUSING COURTS AND FOR CASES REFERRED FROM HENNEPIN COUNTY CONCILIATION COURT. MOST PARTIES SERVED IN COURT ARE LOW-INCOME AND UNREPRESENTED BY ATTORNEYS. MEDIATION IS A FREE SERVICE OFFERED TO THEM PRIOR TO A JUDGE HEARING A CASE. CRC RECEIVES FUNDING FROM THE HENNEPIN COUNTY 4TH DISTRICT COURT, THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE, AND HENNEPIN COUNTY HUMAN SERVICE. YOUTH AND RESTORATIVE SERVICES PROGRAM: CRC'S PROGRAMS HELP AT-RISK STUDENTS ACHIEVE ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND HELP PREPARE THEM TO LEAD SELF-SUFFICIENT AND PRODUCTIVE ADULT LIVES. CRC PROVIDES MEDIATION AND PEACEKEEPING AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION EDUCATION CIRCLES FOR STUDENTS AGES 13-19. CRC RECEIVES FUNDING FROM THE OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, ST. CLOUD AND DULUTH SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS. IN SCHOOL, MEDIATION ADDRESSES THE DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT OF SCHOOL SUSPENSIONS AND EXPULSIONS ON STUDENTS OF COLOR. MEDIATION PROCESSES MODEL CRITICAL LIFE SKILLS IN COMMUNICATION, LEADERSHIP AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION. CRC'S GOAL IS TO AID SCHOOLS IN THE USE OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AS ALTERNATIVES TO AND IN PREVENTION OF EXCLUSIONARY SCHOOL DISCIPLINE PROCESSES, THEREBY IMPROVING THE CHANCES THAT STUDENTS WILL SUCCEED ACADEMICALLY, GRADUATE, AND STEER AWAY FROM VIOLENT OR CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY BUILDING CIRCLES ARE AN ALTERNATIVE PROCESS OF COMMUNICATION, BASED ON TRADITIONAL DISCUSSION AND HEALING PRACTICES OF ABORIGINAL PEOPLES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. CIRCLES BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER IN A WAY THAT CREATES TRUST, RESPECT, GOODWILL, BELONGING, GENEROSITY, MUTUALITY AND RECIPROCITY. CRC CONDUCTS RESTORATIVE JUSTICE CONFERENCES WHERE VICTIMS AND FIRST-TIME NON-VIOLENT JUVENILE OFFENDERS DISCUSS THE HARM THAT WAS CAUSED AND DEVELOP A PLAN FOR REPAIRING THAT HARM. MEDIATION TRAINING PROGRAM: CRC ALSO PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING SESSIONS ON CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND MEDIATION TO INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS.