Week 6- February 11th

This week I signed on to be a mediator in a case involving a very dangerous use of a pellet gun on a highway. It is quite an interesting case for me, in that there was present danger to the parties involved. Also, I will be working with a mediator who is very skilled and knows so much about victim offender mediation as well as working with youth. I cannot wait to do the intakes next week. I am also thrilled that a majority of the victims are wanting to participate in the mediation process. It is sometimes hard to get victims on board with this process if they do not buy into restorative methods. Eugene has been pretty receptive so far in my time in this position, though.

We are also happy to close a few more cases this month. DYS will be very happy to know that we are applying the needed pressure on the offenders to complete their agreements in a timely fashion. I have signed on to be an observer in a separate case involving a mediator who I really want to observe. He is also very great with juveniles and parents. Sometimes, the hardest part of a VOM with youth can be the parents who do not let their children speak for themselves. Other times, parents are wanting their children to fully take responsibility and deal with the experience on their own. I enjoy working with parents such as these.