Six Rivers Blog
Explore our blog to learn more about conflict resolution and the team that serves the Gorge community, and beyond.
What Is Circles of Peace
A New Option for Survivors of Harm in the Gorge Six Rivers Dispute Resolution Center is honored to announce the launch of our pilot Circles of Peace Restorative Justice program. Circles of Peace is an evidence-informed model that supports greater accountability,...
Peace-building Skills in a Divided World
PEACE-BUILDING SKILLS IN A DIVIDED WORLD Local, one-on-one peace-making. by William Lennox My name is Bill Lennox, Board Member with Six Rivers Dispute Resolution Center since 2004. My Quaker background, past experience in law enforcement and time spent as a United...
Six Rivers Basic Mediation Training FAQ
BASIC MEDIATION TRAINING FAQ At Six Rivers, our mission is, “to empower and train people and organizations to resolve conflict through mediation, facilitation, restorative justice and other collaborative means of communication.” As a way to contribute to this...
Celebrating Our Anniversary
We Serve OR & WA Six Rivers Dispute Resolution Center has been serving the Gorge for over 20 years, and we are celebrating 10 years as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Situated at the confluence of the Hood River and the Columbia River in the heart of the...
Navigating Family Tension During the Holidays
The holidays can be a very busy season for all. Culturally this holiday season is so often promoted as a time to spend with family, exchanging gifts and enjoying special holiday meals. Holiday gatherings can also bring up family conflict, and considering we have...
Meet the Mediator: Erion Moore (he/him)
Erion’s mediation journey began when someone told him that combining his communication style, background, and the way he builds rapport would make him a great mediator. Like many, Erion had never heard of mediation, did...
Staff Spotlight: Andy Oliver
Andy Oliver joined the Six Rivers team in September of 2022 as our first ever Restorative Justice Apprentice. Andy made such an impression about his passion for Restorative Justice (RJ) at his interview for a Mediation Apprentice position that Six Rivers...
Meet the Mediator: Patrick Ward
Patrick Ward is an attorney-mediator in private practice. His practice focuses on helping people find peaceful resolutions to family issues like divorce, guardianship appointments and agreements about parenting time. Patrick helps people find...
Nurturing Joy & New Traditions after a Dissolution
After a divorce, holidays and special times can be challenging for families who are adjusting to new schedules and new traditions. Here are two articles, from different perspectives, that offer ideas on how to nurture joy and connection and minimize the impact of...
Help for Landlords & Tenants in Oregon
Six Rivers now offers free Eviction Prevention Mediation (“EPM”) through funding provided by the Oregon legislature. EPM provides mediation and conciliation services to property managers, landlords and tenants throughout our Oregon service area – the counties of...
Staff Spotlight: Michael Reid
Six Rivers welcomed Michael Reid as our Oregon Early Dispute Resolution Specialist earlier this year. Michael’s position was made possible when Six Rivers was selected as one of five dispute resolution centers across Oregon to undertake a new pilot...
Meet the Mediator: Richard Withers
We spoke with Six Rivers mediator and board member Richard Withers about mediation and how it connects with his many other interests. Richard is a retired attorney who practiced with concentrations in civil rights, constitutional law, criminal defense and public...
Newsletter Highlight: Leymah Gbowee
Leymah Gbowee began her peace-building work as a community volunteer during the Second Liberian Civil War, helping community members to heal from trauma. She then led a non-violent peace movement that helped end the war and made free elections possible. In 2011,...
The Gorge Magazine: “Resolving Conflict”
The winter issue of The Gorge Magazine is here—and it includes an article by board member and mediator Ruth Berkowitz that highlights Six Rivers and mediation in The Gorge. Her passion and vision for mediation shines through and we’re grateful for the spotlight, so...
Interview with Ona Lawrence, Early Resolution Specialist
We spoke with Ona Lawrence, our Early Resolution Specialist, to learn more about the Eviction Resolution Pilot Program (ERPP) in Klickitat and Skamania Counties and to find out what draws Ona to her work as Early Resolution Specialist. What does an early resolution...
Eviction Resolution Pilot Program Update
COVID-19 has caused financial hardships for many in our communities, including landlords and tenants. The Washington state legislature has created the Eviction Resolution Pilot Program (ERPP), a free program that helps landlords and tenants find reasonable...
NAFCM/JAMS Young Adult Project Underway!
Six Rivers has embarked on an exciting national project that focuses on listening to the needs and interests of young adults (ages 21-35) in our community. Six Rivers is one of five centers from around the USA to be selected by the National Association for...
A Salute to Six Rivers’ Founder
The past year brought unique challenges, changes, and opportunities – and Six Rivers DRC rose to the occasion. 2020 asked a lot of all of us, and we are so proud of our volunteers and staff who met every challenge with creativity and resilient hope, knowing our...