Somerville Mediation Program
Creating understanding among people and peacefully resolving conflicts continues to be the mission of the Somerville Mediation Program since its start in 1984. Mediation staff and trained volunteers act as neutral third parties and assist others in reaching mutually satisfactory agreements.
The program works in collaboration with Somerville Public Schools, the Office of the Attorney General of Massachusetts, Medford Public Schools and community agencies. The Somerville Mediation Program has been designated by the Trial Court of the Commonwealth as the approved mediation program for the Somerville District Court.
Our funding is as diverse as the population we serve. Our funders include the Massachusetts Trial Court, Somerville Public Schools, the Office of the Attorney General of Massachusetts, Medford Public Schools, the Boston Bar Foundation and the Massachusetts Bar Foundation, the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant and the Community Development Block Grant. We are grateful for the support of our legislators, State Senator Pat Jehlen, State Representative Denise Provost, Carl Sciortino and Tim Toomey.
In addition to Somerville High School, we receive referrals and mediate cases for all of the elementary schools and the alternative schools in Somerville. Our principal focus for the last 14 years has been on violence prevention, and working with young people to teach them conflict resolutions skills, respect and tolerance. To this end, we also conduct workshops in the elementary schools.
Each year we recruit and train 60 new student mediators during a 24-hour training program. These students join our other mediators, who bring peace and prevent violence in our schools and community each day. Our program maintains its mission of helping others live together with tolerance and respect through the work of professional, dedicated staff and volunteers.
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