About Us
Our History
The Greater Richmond Community mediation Center was founded in the Fall of 2023 by Pamela Struss, PhD (Past President of the Virginia Mediation network Inc), with the support of a Collaborative team of alternative dispute resolution professionals, and the Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter School for peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University.
Our Team
Our ADR professional are made up of people with PhD’s in conflict/ dispute resolution, attorneys, human resource professionals, teachers, business professionals, therapists and counselors. They are formally educated, well trained, certified by the VA Supreme Court and committed to continuing to increase their knowledge.
Services Offered
Court Referred Mediation
GRCMC has ongoing contract mediation services with local courts in Chesterfield, City of Richmond, Henrico and Petersburg. These formal service relationships are part of a statewide mediation program managed through the Supreme Court of Virginia.
Restorative Justice
We are proud to be taking on a new local government project in the Richmond area to expand the use of Restorative Justice. “RJ” is a collaborative approach to crime and conflict that focuses on repairing harm through facilitated dialogue between victims and offenders, with a goal of some form of voluntary restitution without prosecution. The process is especially effective with younger first-time offenders.
Private Mediation
We provide private mediation services to families and businesses in conflict. These disputes focus primarily in the areas of divorce, custody and visitation, support, employment matters, landlord-tenant, HOA matters, and other issues.
Arbitration
For those required to seek a binding resolution from a third-party arbitrator, we provide arbitration services to decide these contractual disputes fairly, and effectively within the construct of the law.
Conflict Coaching
Whether you are a team leader or an individual, our conflict coaching services are designed to help you understand dispute resolution tools and processes for use yourself or for assisting others. The program is designed for individuas, local government managers, business leaders and nonprofits to manage and or resolve internal conflicts with confidence.
Facilitation/ Constructive Dialogue
We offer facilitation and constructive dialogue for private groups and organizations, local government bodies and nonprofits to engage in productive internal decision-making, guide team-planning efforts and analysis, and engage in productive group discussions and decision making.
Resolution Virginia
GRCMC is proud to be an active member of Resolution Virginia, a conglomerate of Community Mediation Centers committed to raising awareness of ADR services across Virginia and supporting these services for our citizens.
Continuing Education for Mediators
GRCMC is in the process of launching a series of Continuing Mediation Education (CME ) programs to assist our community of Supreme Court Certified Mediators and ADR professionals in maintaining their educational requirements and keeping current on emerging issues in this important area of practice.
Mentorship
We have Supreme Court Certified Mentors as part of our team, available to formally mentor individuals with their Supreme Court Mediation Certification requirements. Contact us for availability and pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process in which a neutral third party (the mediator) helps people in conflict communicate effectively, understand each other’s perspectives, and work toward a mutually acceptable resolution. The mediator does not decide who is right or wrong and does not impose a solution.
Unlike court proceedings, mediation is collaborative rather than adversarial. It is usually faster, less expensive, more flexible, and private. The parties control the outcome instead of a judge or jury.
Agreements reached in mediation can be written and signed by the parties. Once signed, they may become legally binding contracts, depending on the subject matter. In some cases (such as court-referred matters), agreements may be submitted to the court for approval.
Our mediators are trained, neutral professionals and community volunteers with diverse backgrounds. They do not take sides, provide legal advice, or make decisions for the parties.