Volunteer Mediators Needed

A pilot victim-offender mediation program for cases involving non-violent juvenile offenders is being organized by the Religious Affinity Action Group of the Human Service Federation of Lincoln, Nebraska, in cooperation with juvenile justice authorities. This kind of restorative justice program can be of tremendous benefit victims of crime as well as young offenders.

12-14 individuals are needed to staff this pilot program.  Accepted applicants will receive extensive mediation training and serve as volunteer mediators under the supervision of the Mediation Center. Prospective mediators should have good communication skills and be able to function in situations involving tension or mistrust.

Each volunteer will receive the Nebraska Mediation Association and Nebraska Office of Dispute Resolution Basic Mediation Training. The only cost to the individual will be $25 for materials. The course will prepare them to mediate a wide variety of disputes and may enable them to be helpful in other community conflicts.  The normal fee for this course $800.

An information sheet and application form may be downloaded from www.fmclincoln.org/jovm. Please share this material with individuals you think might be suited for, and interested in, this sort of service. Applications are requested immediately.  Training is planned to begin in January 2009.

Contributions to help fund the modest costs of this program may be made to the Human Services Federation, 1645 N St., Suite A, Lincoln NE 68508 and designated "RAAG-JOVM."

Thank you for supporting this effort and helping us find the mediators needed for this pilot program. Feel free to call David Orr, pastor of First Mennonite Church, at 402-467-1526 if you have any questions.