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Volunteers of America presents dispute resolution and youth mediation programs to Sedro‑Woolley council
Summary
Volunteers of America’s Dispute Resolution Center described mediation, restorative‑practice classes, housing mediation and a peer‑mediator program aimed at high schools; staff said they are pursuing partnerships with local schools and youth centers.
Rick Schoentrup, director of operations for the Volunteers of America Dispute Resolution Center (DRC), told the Sedro‑Woolley City Council about the center’s mediation, restorative practices and training programs and discussed plans to bring youth programs to local schools and community centers.
Schoentrup said the DRC has two centers — one based in Mount Vernon (Skagit County) and one in Everett (Snohomish County) — and offers mediation, restorative conferencing, workplace mediation, housing mediation, eviction prevention support and a range of trainings. He described the DRC as “a trusted resource for alternative dispute resolutions” that both mediates cases and provides trainings for volunteers and professionals.
Alicia Bergson, the DRC’s program coordinator, explained that the center’s mediation services are confidential and impartial and cover small‑claims court mediation, family mediation (including parenting plans and property division), housing mediation (landlord–tenant issues and roommate disputes), workplace mediation and parent‑teen mediation.
Amberlee Faizy, restorative practices supervisor, outlined restorative approaches used by the DRC. She described classroom and community programs including the VOICE (Victim Offender Impact Competency Education) class, Conflict Resolution and Communication (CRC) training, parenting communication classes, restorative conferencing and circle processes rooted in indigenous traditions. Faizy also described a peer mediation program in which trained students mediate conflicts among classmates.
Schoentrup said the DRC is working to pilot peer‑mediation and other youth programs with Cedar Valley High School, Mount Vernon High School and La Conner High School and is discussing partnerships with the YMCA and the OASIS Center to offer classes at a local Y recreation center. He said peer‑mediator training typically requires between 24 and 48 hours of instruction, and that the DRC offers practicum pathways for people seeking state mediator certification.
On housing, Schoentrup said the DRC provides eviction prevention mediation and renter certification and fair‑housing counseling to both tenants and landlords. He noted the DRC runs trainings popular with businesses — for example, de‑escalation, trauma‑informed practice and emotional intelligence for managers — and that many mediations are handled by trained volunteers who complete the center’s mediation practicum and certification.
Council members welcomed the programs and asked about cultural adaptations of restorative practices; Faizy said she would consult with other DRCs and tribal contacts as needed. Schoentrup said contact information and slides are in the meeting packet and that the DRC would follow up with council staff on possible local pilots.
Why this matters: the DRC’s services intersect with eviction prevention, school climate, workplace conflict reduction and community‑based alternatives to court processes; pilot programs at local high schools and the YMCA could expand restorative resources for young people in Sedro‑Woolley.
