Our Family’s Center for Community Dialogue and Training (the Center) helps Tucsonans discuss challenging issues in a skilled, civil, and respectful way through mediation and facilitation, communication trainings, and events that build skills and spread constructive dialogue.
The Center
In the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election—when emotions were running white-hot—the Center for Community Dialogue and Training held a Post-Election Community Forum in Tucson. The Forum was attended by nearly two hundred community members, local politicians, and radio personalities from across the political spectrum. Supported by 20 neutral facilitators from the Center, participants worked together to process the impact that the divisive election had on them and how, together, we could work to heal any wounds and move forward as one community.
By empowering individuals to use their voices while also recognizing the common humanity in each other, the Center continues to lead the way toward increased civility and understanding in Southern Arizona.
The lineage of the Center includes the grassroots group Tucsonans for Civility, organized in the aftermath of the January 8, 2011 shooting which killed six people and injured 13 others, including Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. A commitment to civility and civil discourse arose from this tragedy and is a foundational pillar of the Center.
Mediation Services
Mediation is a safe, neutral and voluntary process to resolve a variety of neighbor, workplace and family disagreements without going to court. We do not provide legal advice.
Mediation Appointments
Mediations can be scheduled weekdays during the day and early evening hours and on Saturdays by appointment. Mediations are held at our office at 3830 E. Bellevue St., or at off-site locations agreeable to all parties. Services are available in English and Spanish.
Interpersonal Mediation Conflict between two parties in the Tucson area
We are committed to offering mediations for interpersonal disputes at no charge to the greater Tucson community. Mediations are conducted by staff and trained volunteers. We support these efforts through community funding and through private foundations and personal donations. To ensure this service remains available to everyone, we encourage participants to make a tax-deductible donation to the program. We accept donations at our offices, by mail, or through the Donate button.
Interpersonal mediations may include:
Parent/child, Neighbors, Business partners, Landlord/tenant, Co-workers
Animal noise complaints must go through Pima Animal Care Center before being referred to mediation.
Call (520) 743-7550.
Tucson Police Department misconduct complaints must go through Internal Affairs before being referred to mediation. Call (520) 791-4426.
Multiparty or Group Mediation
Because of the often extensive scope and significant staff time needed to address complex multiparty issues, these services are offered for a fee of $250 (which includes intake, information-gathering, scheduling, and conducting a 3-hour mediation session.) Follow-up sessions or phone coaching are available for an additional $75 per hour. Multiparty mediations can be conducted at your choice of location in Tucson with video conferencing for out-of-town participants.
Multiparty or group mediations may include:
Neighborhood associations, Co-housing groups, workgroup or team
Eldercare Mediation: Disagreements can stand in the way of good decisions about the care and well-being of an older person. Early mediation of conflicts between family, caregivers, health care providers and housing facilities can prevent hurt feelings, reduce stress, and help everyone work as a team. Click for more information.
Questions about the Center?
Call: 520.323.1708 x 121 | Email: ctornbom@ourfamilyservices.org
