As mentioned above, one of the offerings we are most pleased to offer our partners in the InterFaith Community Network, and the community at large, is the ability to mediate conflict in a non-threatening environment, as an objective third-party. At this juncture, fourteen of our Commissioners have been formally trained in Conflict Mediation, giving the Commission the ability to mediate when called upon.

As Commissioners, we continually expand our vision of where and how mediation can be used. Armed with this training, we hope to be able to intervene when requested to resolve disputes and keep these matters out of the court system. Some of the members who have participated in the State's mandatory 18-hour training have furthered their training with the State; others hope to work with the local court systems; and all of us will actively use our newfound skills to achieve the goals of the Commission and the citizens we serve.

We continue to conduct our own “role playing”
training sessions.

The UCHRC is indebted to the New Jersey Secretary of State’s Office of Dispute Settlement, particularly Caroline Petrilla, Esq., for providing us with the initial vital training in Conflict Intervention and Mediation, and for continuing to support us for the past several years as we continue to hone our negotiation and mediation knowledge, skills and experience.