Mission Statement
CRC’s Mission is to bring people together to find lasting and effective solutions to conflict.
CRC’s Vision is to be the primary community resource for creating opportunity from conflict, and where repairing harm is valued over punishment.
CRC services are based on a core belief that individuals of all ages and backgrounds are capable of resolving their own disputes - effectively, inexpensively, and peacefully - with assistance from trained volunteer mediators. CRC provides communities with the tools to peacefully and effectively resolve disputes.
CRC is dedicated to providing dispute resolution services and training to all people, especially those who cannot afford traditional services offered through the courts. We focus on serving those for whom traditional services have not worked in the past because they did not address underlying issues or were not culturally appropriate. Mediation used earlier in the dispute process can prevent the need for further intervention on the part of city departments, the police, or courts - thus saving valuable resources and tax dollars.
Description
CRC provides conflict resolution services in neighborhoods and schools, between family members, landlords and tenants, businesses and consumers, victims and offenders. We mediate public housing hearings, and Human Rights cases. CRC 's volunteers mediate regularly in Hennepin County Housing, Juvenile and Harassment Courts. We facilitate conflict resolution sessions for larger groups.
In mediation, parties are able to speak about their concerns, address their needs and come up with solutions that they feel are equitable. Parties who otherwise might not have access to the legal system are able to address wrongdoing and conflict in a low or no-cost process which calls for self-determination and relationship building. CRC also offers a one-party service called conflict consulting, which allows people to learn skills and develop a work-plan for addressing their conflict.
CRC provides expert training in the areas of conflict resolution, mediation, conflict de-escalation, communication skills, leadership development, conflict consulting, board of director development, and strategic planning. CRC provides mediations and circle programs in Minneapolis Public Schools.
Many of CRC services take place in neighborhoods stricken with high levels of poverty and crime. Trained volunteer mediators live in or close to those neighborhoods and volunteer because they are concerned about the people in their neighborhoods. CRC works hard to cultivate a roster of volunteer mediators who reflect the people who use our services. Increasingly our volunteers are from immigrant and minority communities.
