con•flict (kõn&nbspflikt') n
      a sharp disagreement or opposition, as of interests, ideas, etc...

Conflict acts a healthy and creative force for change. However, failing to deal with conflict in a constructive manner damages individuals, organizations, and relationships. Ineffective confrontation and/or avoidance of problems are often the results of people not having the ability to productively handle disputes. Conflict resolution training and mediation provides individuals with the necessary skills to help keep situations from getting out of hand, enabling the successful and effective transformation of conflict.

me•di•a•tion (më'&nbspdë ã'&nbspshen) n
      the act of mediating; friendly or diplomatic intervention, usually by consent
      or invitation, for settling conflicts between persons, groups, nations, etc...

Mediation is an opportunity to resolve conflicts in a healthy, mutually productive setting. With the help of trained mediators, parties can discuss their issues and voice their concerns in manner where all participants have equal time to speak and be heard. In mediation, the individual—not the mediator—controls the decisions and the outcome.

Mediation works by bringing people in conflict to a neutral setting. Mediators help the parties to constructively talk to each other to clarify goals, gather information, and identify possible options. It is up to the parties in question to decide their best course of action. Mediators simply give the conversation guidance and assure all parties have equal involvement in the discussion. All mediation sessions are kept confidential and secure.

The Community Mediation Center is a private non-profit service agency located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Our agency is dedicated to providing the best conflict resolution services possible to our clients. The center serves youths, adults, and organizations as a leader in the field of violence prevention, conflict transformation, and conflict intervention training. Since 1982, the CMC has provided services and training throughout Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

CMC Mission Statement

The Community Mediation Center provides regional leadership in dispute resolution and restorative justice services and training. Our mediation, facilitation and training services enable individuals, families, businesses, organizations and communities to work together, to prevent destructive conflict, and to transform conflict into opportunities for change and growth. By working in conjunction with the judicial system, our restorative justice program provides a constructive framework for peacemaking and reconciliation between victims and offenders of a crime or wrongdoing. To sustain our work CMC will:

• Seek opportunities for providing comprehensive services.
• Advance the influence of dispute resolution and restorative justice within the judicial process and communities we serve.
• Stand as a financially independent, non-profit organization that encourages volunteerism and financial support from our local community.
• Exemplify the highest caliber of services associated with dispute resolution and restorative justice.