Week 9- March 4th

This week I have been trying to finalize the upcoming mediation I have with two offenders and 4 victims. The mediation will consist of at least 15 people, including significant others. I am worried that we won't find a place to mediate to accommodate this many people. I hope that DYS will allow us to use on of their rooms, given that they are the ones who are overseeing this case so closely, and desire it to be completed in three month's time.
The nature of this case is a sensitive one. I imagine that the youth will be very emotional, as well as the parents and the victims. I have been completing over-the-phone intakes with the victims, and all of them seem to be very eager to do this RJ process. I am glad so many adults in this county understand the need to help prevent youth from going down the wrong path. Furthermore, these particular youth are great kids, who have never done anything quite like this in their lives. I hope I am able to keep my cool under all of the stress that comes from an emotional meeting.
I think that the shape of the room/set up of the tables play a large part of how the mediation will enfold. It is important for everyone to be at the same level. Therefore, to have the youth be sitting in a place where it makes them look like outcasts of the group is something to avoid. Similarly, as a mediator, we don't want to be sitting at a table that might look like we are an authority in the room. I hope that we can make it more of a circle. My last intake before the mediation on Monday is with a very important victim in this case. I anticipate much discussion about restitution and apology letters. I worry that the intake will not go well, and perhaps then the mediation will be emotional contentious. I am trying to be positive, though!