Neighborhood Dispute Settlement (NDS) is a community based mediation center that provides mediation services as an alternative to other means of resolving disputes. To fulfill this purpose, NDS provides a neutral, non‐violent setting for individals in conflict and provides trained and experienced mediators to facilitate cooperation between them, without regard to ability to pay.
NDS also provides training community members (individuals and groups) interested in mediation and conflict management as a means of alternative dispute resolution.
The primary goal of mediation is for the parties, looking to the future and to work out a solution/agreement with which they can abide. Its goal is to solve a problem, not assess blame, or figure out where the truth lies, or determine if any laws have been broken.
The secondary goals of mediation include:
- Improved communication with the other party(ies),
- A better understanding of the other party's point of view,
- The opportunity to meet face‐to‐face with the other party, speak one's mind and be heard.
- Increased awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of one's position,
- An understanding of any hidden issues or underlying problems (such as past grievances or
- personality clashes) that may be involved in the dispute, and
- Exposure to creative ideas for settlement that may be suggested by the mediator.
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