LAWTON — Each year, southwestern Oklahomans give their time and talents to become volunteer mediators through the Early Settlement Mediation Program, a part of the Oklahoma Dispute Resolution System. Local courts use program volunteers to assist parties with cases that are disputed on civil, family and child guardianship dockets. Volunteer mediators are also used to help community members settle disputes that are not part of the court system.
“Mediation is an amazing tool that empowers individuals to settle disputes among themselves,” said Sarah Head, director of the Early Settlement Mediation Southwest
Program. “Hearing the perspectives of everyone involved in a conflict often allows for real, tangible solutions to be found.”
Locally, the program has continued to experience growth and change. In 2018, the program relocated from Mangum to Lawton to form a new partnership with Cameron University to better serve those in its 12-county coverage area.
“Our program continues to experience growth during the pandemic, which I think shows how supportive Southwest Oklahoma judges, attorneys, our sponsor and community members are of Early Settlement Mediation,” Head said.
Head assures her program will continue following safety
protocols to ensure the welfare of volunteers, staff and mediation participants during the ongoing pandemic.
To keep up with the referrals from local courts and the community, the Southwest Program needs volunteers. A two-day training session for mediators has been scheduled for May 25-26 at Cameron University in Lawton. In exchange for the free training volunteers are asked to complete 20 hours of volunteer time over the next two years. Travel expenses for volunteers living outside of Comanche County will be reimbursed.
Those interested in the training may reach the Early Settlement office at 580-581- 5420, or via email at earlysettlement@cameron.edu.