Volunteers resolve disputes
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Louise Grogan’s work with civil-rights hearings has made it easier to be a volunteer mediator. Grogan, who works for the County of Riverside’s Social Services Department, goes to small-claims court in Riverside twice a month to help clients resolve disagreements through the Alternative Dispute Resolution Center. Grogan has mediated 10 cases since receiving her certificate more than a year ago. “Most of the time, we do them as co-mediators because it’s good to have two people there,” said Grogan, a Moreno Valley resident. Dana Lofton, program director for the Alternative Dispute Resolution Center, said being a neutral party is one of the keys to being a successful mediator. “The mediators have no vested interest in the outcome,” Lofton said. The Riverside County Community Action Partnership sponsors the dispute-resolution program, which was founded 13 years ago. It is designed to be an alternative to small-claims court by having a trained mediator listen to parties address a conflict and help them reach a compromise, Lofton said. More : pe.com |