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BECOME A CERTIFIED MEDIATOR

Resolve Disputes for your Community  •  Learn Great Skills  •  High Quality Training

 

SPECIAL CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!

TRANSLATORS  •  SURROGATE VICTIMS  •  MEDIATORS

Centinela Youth Services (CYS) is offering a 40+hour Volunteer Mediation Training consisting of basic mediation fundamentals with an emphasis on restorative justice principles. Become a highly skilled volunteer community mediator. Resolve conflict in your community. This is our most demanding yet incrediably rewarding volunteer opportunity.

Two areas you can impact:

Victim Offender Restitution Program (VORS)

 

The Victim Offender Mediation Program assists Victims of crimes and Youth Offenders via a mediation process, with the opportunity for dialogue and reaching resolution through an agreement. Mediations facilitated by trained community volunteers are held between offenders and their victims who include private citizens, homeowners, teachers, local city governments, businesses and other youth. Offenses include vandalism, theft, assault, shoplifting and other non-weapon related offenses. And most importantly the program works to provide financial and psychological restitution for victims and relief for the overloaded Juvenile Justice system. Since 1992, 98% of the more than 5,000 Victim Offender mediations have reached agreements resulting in over $700,000 in restitution to victims, over 20,000 hours of community service performed and 3,920 letters of apology written by the youth offenders to their victim. This process reduces re-arrest rates for participating youth to 8-11% within 1 year of completing the program and drastically increases service and reparation for victims.

Family Mediation Program (FARS) 

 

Family Mediation supports and assists youth and their parents/guardians to de-escalate conflict in a safe environment. Family mediation examines conflict in the context of the family and empowers the parent and youth to own their conflicts and solutions. The program assists parties to manage and resolve specific issues such as curfew, chores, grades, trust, lack of communication etc.  The overall goal is providing tools for families to take home and use themselves in resolving their own disputes outside of the mediation room. Over 85% reported no further contact with authorities regarding conflict. After parent/child mediation, families in severe conflict are able to establish new behavior patterns. Family Mediation assists families to resolve their own conflict through enhanced communication skills. 

APPLY  TODAY!

Step 1:

Download and complete the CYS Volunteer Application.

 

Step 2:

Submit the completed CYS application, along with your resume or bio, to [email protected]

 

Step 3:

Once we receive your documents, we will call you in for an interview. If approved, you will complete additional CYS volunteer paperwork and required security clearances.

 

Step 4:

 You will be required to submit your payment at least one month prior to the applicable training session.

 

Muy Importante:

Necesidad de Voluntarios Bilingues

 

Los Angeles Area

2023 Training Dates

VORS Program Orientation, Skills & Process

Spring/Summer 2023 - 4-Day Orientation and Training

Specific Training Schedule TBD

 

FARS Program Orientation, Skills & Process

Winter/Spring 2023 - 4/5 Day Orientation and Training

 

  FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS:

  • Friday, 4/14/23 - Foundations/Fundamentals

  TRAINING

  • Saturday, 4/15 - Day 1 - 8:30am-3:30pm

  • Friday 4/21 – Day 2 – 8:30am-3:30pm

  • Saturday 4/22 - Day 3 - 8:30am-3:30pm

  • Saturday 4/22 - FARS Evaluations – 8:30am-12:30pm

 

Contact [email protected] to get on the waiting list for the next training.

 

Training Location: TBA

 

Training Fee: $125 per program area (i.e VORS, FARS)

(limited scholarships available)

 

Training materials and refreshments will be provided.

Parking is available on-site.

Huge Benefits:

 

  • One of the most substantive and rewarding volunteer opportunities available. You get to see the immediate impact on families and youth in crisis. 

  • Incredible skills that will make you more effective in both the workplace and interpersonal relationships. 

  • After completing 24 mediation sessions (which can include mediations in both the Family Mediation (FARS) and Victim/Offender Restitution (VORS) mediation programs) you will be a County certified mediator. 

 

What it takes to be a Volunteer Mediator:

 

  • Commitment to complete at least 24 mediations after completing your training

  • Access to reliable transportation

  • Ability to clear our security background checks (Certifix Live Scan and LA County Probation Department clearance)

  • Commitment to complete intensive, county-certified training

  • Open to challenge your own perceptions and knowledge of human conflict 

San Fernando Valley

2023 Training Dates

VORS Program Skills & Process

Winter/Spring 2023 - 4-Day Orientation and Training

Specific Training Schedule TBD

 

FARS Program Skills & Process

Winter/Spring 2023 - 4-Day Orientation and Training

Specific Training Schedule TBD

 

Contact [email protected] to get on the waiting list for the next training.

Training Location: TBA

 

Training Fee: $125 per program area (i.e. VORS, FARS)

(limited scholarships available)

 

Training materials and refreshments will be provided.

Parking is available on-site.

WE'RE THERE

WHERE YOU

NEED US

“Strengthening Families and Communities since 1975”
CONTACT US: (310) 970-7702, or [email protected]
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