Congress of Neutrals a California Public Benefit Corp

The Congress of Neutrals offers a full spectrum of conflict resolution services to the citizens and community organizations of the San Francisco East Bay. Our leadership ensures that people have the tools they need to respond to litigation, crime, family problems and community and neighborhood disputes.

We believe in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), including mediation, conciliation, arbitration and neutral fact finding, as a means of empowering people to resolve their own disputes within the social context in which they arise.

We are committed to the principles of neutrality, and through our education and training programs, we teach others how to employ and promote those principles.

Finally, we want to create sanctuary from conflict™ and serve the larger community by lending a hand to those who are the most vulnerable and in need.

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT PROGRAM. The Congress of Neutrals provides mediation services in small claims, unlawful detainer and civil harassment cases throughout Contra Costa County. Participation in these mediations, which are held on the day of trial at each of the local branch courts (Concord, Pittsburg, Richmond and Walnut Creek), is free of charge, voluntary and confidential.

TRAINING AND EDUCATION. Since 2002, we have been a recognized leader in conflict management and communication skills training and education. We provide customized trainings for community organizations, governmental agencies, law students and professionals.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH. The Congress of Neutrals partners with local community groups, schools, neighborhoods, religious and other nonprofit organizations to promote harmony and the peaceful resolution of conflict. Beginning in January of 2010, we expanded our outreach efforts by launching a new Lawyers in the Library program in conjunction with the Contra Costa County Public Law Library. This free service involves local volunteer attorneys who give limited general advice and guidance to self-represented litigants in Contra Costa County.

VORP OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY. In 2010, The Congress of Neutrals launched a new program, the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP) of Contra Costa County. It is a community based restorative justice program designed to facilitate agreements between juvenile offenders and victims of crime with the goal of making things as rightas possible. VORP provides a different approach to juvenile crime by giving the people involved an opportunity to decide how to best address the offense. With the assistance of a trained volunteer mediator, VORP provides a process which takes into consideration the needs and concerns of the victim, the offender, and the community. The crime and its damage are recognized and discussed, an agreement is reached on how equity can be restored and future intentions are clarified. Once a satisfactory agreement is in place, VORP will monitor the plan and assist the parties in meeting their obligations.