For several years the volunteer attorneys of Central Minnesota have requested that our Volunteer Attorney Program (VAP) provide an opportunity for them to donate their professional services as mediators. This fall, the requests turned into reality. Through the collaborative efforts of the Stearns County District Court, our Volunteer Attorney Program, and members of the private bar; the Volunteer Family Mediation Program was created. Free mediation to low-income community members who have parenting-time disputes or who seek straightforward divorces is now available.

Planning sessions began in July of 2003, through the work of Karl Thoennes, the Stearns County Court Administrator; Virginia Marso, a St. Cloud family law mediator and longtime Volunteer Attorney; Yvonne Castillo and Kathy Moen with court administration; Janine Gully with the court administration service center; Kathy Wingen, a Volunteer Attorney Program Coordinator for the St. Cloud area, and Sarah Shella-Stevens, Managing Attorney at Central Minnesota Legal Services.

Virginia Marso was instrumental in the recruitment of volunteer mediators for the program. Twenty mediators were recruited and the orientation sessions were held in October. Mediators will work in teams consisting of one experienced mediator and one inexperienced mediator. This will provide an opportunity for a mentor to work with a less experienced mediator. The Court administration staff has also offered to screen candidates who come to the Court Services Center seeking help from the court for referral to the program. In addition, The Stearns County Court has agreed to provide conference room space and referrals for the program.

Beginning December 1, litigants with parenting-time disputes, despite court orders, and litigants who have been waiting for a straightforward divorce, will now have an opportunity to mediate their legal disputes through a free mediation program. For more information contact the St. Cloud office at 800-622-7773.