The Glassman administration will join an international celebration of Conflict Resolution Day 2015 with an exhibit of youth artwork and a presentation on Harford County’s free community mediation services Thursday, October 15 in Bel Air. The public is welcome to attend.
In anticipation of Conflict Resolution Day, the Harford County Community Mediation Commission held a notecard art contest over the summer for youth Pre-K through 8th grade. The theme was “Imagine Compromise” and was intended to show ways to make peace. Six different summer camps participated in the contest, and over 300 entries were received. A drawing was selected from each of four age groups, each of which will be reproduced on notecards promoting the mediation program and conflict resolution. The artwork will be on display at a reception planned for Thursday, October 15, 2015 from 6 -7:00 p.m. at the McFaul Activities Center in Bel Air. The reception will include a presentation on the county’s mediation program and free mediation services.
The Harford County Community Mediation Program (HCCMP) offers mediation and facilitation services at no charge to the citizens of Harford County. HCCMP helps individuals resolve conflicts in a safe, neutral setting, allowing them to express emotions without the fear of being judged. Because the mediation process encourages participants to develop their own solutions, the outcomes are often more creative and long lasting. Mediation is an alternative to court, which can be time consuming, costly and oftentimes does not resolve the underlying reasons for the conflict.
Mediators are volunteers from the community who are professionally trained by the HCCMP. Volunteer mediators work in teams of two, following a co-mediation model. Mediation is a confidential process that allows the participant to freely disclose information at the table. The intake process is handled directly by the coordinator of the program, which takes place in a confidential setting. HCCMP also provides community education and outreach regarding mediation.
Visit www.harfordmediation.org for more information, including conflict management tips and strategies. To become a volunteer mediator, visit the website to obtain an application or contact Susan Fisher, manager of the Office of Human Relations and Mediation in the Harford County Department of Community Services at 410-638-4807 or [email protected]
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