Mediation

Mediation is a form of conflict resolution that relies on the belief that people are creative and have the desire to resolve their conflicts. Mediation uses an impartial third party to help people find workable solutions confidentially. Mediation provides an opportunity to talk about issues fully and directly in a non-adversarial and non-confrontational environment, with as much time as needed. Face-to-Face Mediation provides a neutral setting for people to resolve their differences.

Trained community volunteer mediators facilitate face-to-face mediation providing a forum for people to resolve their differences. CMC receives referrals from individuals, social service agencies, and the court. CMC also provides training in conflict resolution, negotiation, communication skills, values identification, and teambuilding to many organizations and youth groups.

Jill Dagilis, Executive Director of the Worcester Community Action Council, stands with several members of the WCAC’s Community Mediation Center Volunteer Corps who received the United Way’s Outstanding Volunteer award on April 29, 2008 at Mechanics Hall.  Nineteen members of the CMC Volunteer Corps were recognized for the more than 1,700 hours of volunteer time they donated last year.  Carol Balderelli (r standing), Director of the Community Medication Center, said, “it is through the efforts of these and other volunteers that the Community Medication Center has been able to be a local leader for peaceful, amicable, and nonviolent solutions to conflicts in our Worcester communities.

Types of Mediation Issues

• Consumer Issues & Small Claims: debt collection, motor vehicle sales/repair, home improvement, retail sales/advertising, landlord/tenant.
• Minor Criminal Disputes: larceny, bounced checks, destruction of property, disturbing the peace.
• Business/Workplace Issues: employee/management, discrimination, disputes within organization.
• Parent/Teen Situations: mutual respect, chores, schoolwork, house rules, communication.
• Community Disagreements: neighborhood issues, landlord/tenant & roommate disturbances.
• High School/Peer Mediation: rumors, boyfriend/girlfriend, cultural issues.
• Divorce/Post Divorce/Family Issues: custody/parenting plans, child support/alimony, visitation, health/education issues, non-traditional family issues.

Advantages of Third Party Mediation

• Effective: a mediated agreement is more often complied with the parties, than by court-ordered settlements.
• Cost Efficient: a sliding fee scale is generally shared between the parties and is typically less costly than litigation. Many services are free.
• Confidential: the dispute, negotiations and outcome can be private.
• Voluntary: the parties decide whether or not to participate. The parties still have the option of legal recourse.
• Timely: most mediations are scheduled within two weeks of initial contact and the sessions can be held days, evenings or weekends.

Mediation Locations
Mediation takes place at the Dudley, East Brookfield, Milford and Worcester District Courts, the CMC office or in the community.

For more information regarding programs, fees, fee waivers, or how we might be able to serve your particular needs, please contact:

The Community Mediation Center
Worcester Community Action Council
484 Main Street, Second Floor
Worcester, MA 01608

Phone: (508) 754-1176 x138
Fax: (508) 754-0203
cbalderelli@wcac.net

• Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General
• Massachusetts Bar Foundation
• Massachusetts Administrative Office of the Trial Court
• Greater Worcester Community Foundation
• Worcester Community Action Council, Inc.

Divorce Info Guide

Divorce, Post-divorce, and Family Mediation
Mediation is an opportunity to work together to determine your future, made possible with the assistance of specially trained mediators. It is an excellent option for divorcing couples, never-married couples, families of all shapes and sizes.
Principals of Mediation

• Voluntary – All must agree to come.
• Confidential –
• Self-determination – Parties decide the outcome.
• Mediators strive to be impartial
• All involved are able to make informed decisions

Why Mediation?

• Mediation is less expensive & less time consuming than litigation
• Fees are based on the parties’ ability to pay using a sliding fee scale, using family income
• Payment is made as you go so no large retainer is required
• The atmosphere is informal and cooperative
• The setting is private and confidential. Weekend and evening appointments are available.
• When children are involved, parents have the opportunity to discuss co-parenting issues, cooperatively plan for the future, and begin a new process of dialogue. When appropriate, children can be involved.
• The parties are less likely to return to court for modification of the agreement.

Mediation Process

• It begins with a brief telephone screening
• We offer a free one-half hour consultation
• The sessions of 1-2 hours give everyone the opportunity to explore all the important issues. An average case is 3-7 sessions, but there may be a lot more or less.
• Mediators can generate a written memorandum agreement.  The parties create their own terms and each party receives a copy.  Both are encouraged to have the agreement reviewed by an independent attorney.

Divorce Issues may include:

• Co-parenting issues
• Financial support post-divorce (child support and alimony)
• Health Insurance
• Education
• Personal Property
• Assets, Debts, and Taxes
• Investment and Retirement Plans

Post Divorce and Family Issues

• Co-parenting issues
• Custody/Parenting Plans
• Visitation
• Child Support and Alimony
• Health and Education Issues
• Guardianship
• Parent-teen Issues
• Mutual Respect
• Chores
• Schoolwork
• House Rules
• Communication
• Sibling Issues
• Elder Issues
• Intergenerational Issues
• Grandparents Caring for Grandchildren
• Children Caring for Parents Other issues
• Non-traditional Families.

For More Information Contact

Community Mediation Center
Worcester Community Action Council
484 Main Street, Second floor
Worcester MA 01608
Phone: (508) 754-1176 x148
Fax: (508) 754-0203
mashe@wcac.net

Funding Sources

Worcester Community Action Council, Inc.

Greater Worcester Community Foundation

Landlord / Tenant Mediation

Mediation is a conflict resolution method that gives people the opportunity to talk about issues informally, fully, and directly so that they, with the help of a neutral facilitator, can create their own resolutions. Tenants and roommates need safe, secure housing. Landlords need responsible, long-term tenancies. All are more comfortable with good neighbors.
Mediation provides the means for achieving dependable, comfortable relationships between landlords, tenants, roommates, and neighbors. The Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. through the Community Mediation Center, provides landlords, tenants, and neighbors mediation services with trained mediators to assist in resolving conflicts in a timely and cost efficient manner.

Mediation Principals

• Both parties must agree to mediate, however, do not give up their right to legal recourse.
• Mediators are impartial third-parties who work to help parties understand each other.
• Mediators do not make judgments or offer advice.
• The dispute and negotiations are private. Outcomes may be private.
• The parties control the outcomes and the terms of the agreement if one is reached.

Mediation is well-suited for:

• Neighborhood issues
• Landlord/Tenant disagreements
• Disturbances between tenants
• Pre-tenancy agreements
• Post-tenancy agreements
• Roommate issues

Services:

• Early intervention
  
• Landlord/Tenant Disputes
  
• Tenant/Tenant Disputes
  
• Alternatives to eviction and/or housing court
  
• Facilitate communication and understanding
  
• Promote agreements prior to tenancy to build better relationships and stronger tenancies
  
• Address roommate issues

For More Information Contact

Community Mediation Center
Worcester Community Action Council, Inc
484 Main Street, 2nd Floor
Worcester, MA 01608-1810
Phone: (508) 754-1176 ext. 138
Fax: (508) 754-0203

cbalderelli@wcac.net

Funding Sources

• Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General
  
• Worcester Community Action Council, Inc.
• Administration Office of the Trial Court of Massachusetts

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TrainingSchedule for 2008
October 14: 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
October 16: 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
October 21: 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
October 23: 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
October 28: 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
October 30: 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
November 4: 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
November 6: 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
November 12: 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
November 13: 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm