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Who are we?
A volunteer group of community members trained in mediation.
Who can use our services?
Our services are free and available to anyone on the West-Island, as well as to
residents of Lachine, Ville St. Pierre, Montreal West, Côte St. Luc and NDG.
What's our mission?
Volunteer Community Mediation seeks to promote harmony in the community
by providing services to those who choose mediation to resolve conflict.
What's our philosophy?
We are all human! We each have our own
unique life experience, values and personality. We value harmony in our community, but disputes
can arise. Volunteer Community Mediation offers an alternative way of resolving disputes.
Our program is about opening doors, exploring different choices, and developing mutually beneficial
solutions.
What is mediation?
- It is an informal conflict resolution
process. Mediation can be an alternative to, but does not replace, the legal process.
Because it is voluntary, you can opt out at any time.
- Mediation helps people find solutions
to disputes in a non-adversarial, mutually beneficial way. It can often lead to an agreement
that is satisfactory for all.
- Mediation is not about who is right or wrong, or about
winning or losing. It is about being open-minded and flexible, willing to listen
generously, and discuss various options.
- People often have differences of opinion
and recollection. Mediation is most successful when participants agree in advance to be
respectful, honest and open-minded.
- Mediation is also a confidential process.
What is said in mediation cannot be used in any legal context.
What do mediators do?
Mediators help people:
- Facilitate communication
- Establish the facts
- Voice their needs
- Understand each other's situation better
- Find common ground
- Evaluate various options
- Develop mutually benefit solutions
Mediators do not:
- Speak for you
- Make decisions for you
- Take sides
- Pass judgment
- Break confidentiality
What issues can you raise?
- Neighbourhood disputes
- Interpersonal conflict
Mediators will not address:
- Issues before the courts, domestic issues (child custody, divorce, separation, etc.)
What can you expect?
- To meet in a safe, neutral environment
- To be treated fairly
- To be listened to respectfully
- To be given the time to fully express your views
- To participate in developing positive solutions
- To defuse, and hopefully resolve, a stressful situation
Our services are strictly confidential.
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