Training for new volunteer community mediators will begin this month.

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POLK COUNTY—The Mediation Center, a nonprofit serving Polk, Henderson, Transylvania, and Buncombe counties, is seeking new volunteer community mediators to meet rising demand in Polk County.

A new training cohort will begin at the end of July. The Mediation Center offers free mediation services for interpersonal conflicts, including those referred by law enforcement and the courts. Each year, volunteer mediators assist hundreds of people in navigating disputes and fostering peaceful resolutions.

Community mediation involves a neutral, trained third-party who facilitates productive conversations between individuals, neighbors, families, or organizations. Volunteers are essential to this service.

Training includes 50 hours of classroom instruction followed by a supervised apprenticeship. The Mediation Center covers the cost of training—valued at approximately $2,000 per volunteer—for those accepted into the program. In return, volunteers commit to facilitating at least two mediation sessions per month over a two-year period, totaling 50 hours. Additional requirements include a 16-hour apprenticeship, ongoing training of at least 16 hours annually, and progression toward certification as North Carolina District Criminal Court Mediators.

The Mediation Center provides continued support and training throughout the volunteer experience.

Those interested in becoming volunteer mediators can email laurahj@mediatewnc.org or call (828) 445-9001. More information and the application are available at mediatewnc.org/become-a-volunteer-community-mediator.