Programs & Services
Civil Mediation
General District Filings or Civil Disputes
Peaceful Alternatives has a presence during most civil court docket mornings in Amherst, Bedford, Campbell and Lynchburg General District Court. Mediators are present to mediate at the courthouse. If parties desire to mediate prior to their court date, that can usually be arranged.
If there is a filing in court, there is no fee to the parties to participate in mediation!
Early referrals are accepted if the Plaintiff and Defendant desire to discuss the elements of the case in hopes they can reach a resolution prior to the court date. If the parties are successful, the mediator prepares the agreement for the parties and the paperwork for court.
Many of the mediations occurring prior to the court date are mediated via Zoom or via telephone to prevent a missed day from employment, scheduling child care or transportation to the mediation location.
Police-Referred Mediation
Peaceful Alternatives partners with local law enforcement to provide a compassionate, community-first approach to resolving low-level disputes. Rather than escalating issues through arrests or tickets, police officers may refer individuals to our free or low-cost mediation sessions. These sessions are designed to reduce repeat calls to police, help parties understand one another, and rebuild trust within the community.
Our neutral mediators facilitate constructive conversations, allowing participants to share their perspectives and collaboratively craft agreements that address underlying concerns, preventing further conflict and relieving pressure on the justice system.
Family & Separation Mediation
Navigating separation, divorce, and family transitions can be emotionally and legally complex. Our family mediators offer a confidential, child‑centered, and legally aware environment where partners work together to resolve critical issues such as parenting plans, support arrangements, property division, and communication strategies.
Rather than leaving decisions to a judge, families retain meaningful control over outcomes. Our goal is to reduce conflict, lower stress and expense, and help preserve healthy relationships post-separation.
Workplace Disputes
Workplace conflict is defined as issues that generate frequent expressions of emotions, frustration, and anger when two or more people work together. It often arises from disagreements between employees regarding strategies for achieving desired outcomes. Workplace disputes are bound to happen and should be viewed as a normal occurrence since we are all individuals with individual thoughts and desires.
Workplace conflict can encompass any type of disagreement occurring within a workplace, including conflicts that may arise outside of work hours. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for effective conflict management and resolution in professional settings.
Common Workplace disputes include:
- Disagreements between employees
- Disagreements between employees and management
- Labor disputes related to wages, benefits, working conditions, or disciplinary actions.
- Legal issues such as employment discrimination, harassment, wage and hour disputes, and employment contract disagreements.
- Breach of employment agreements or violations of labor laws.
If you are an employee and desire to initiate a mediation session with another employee, employer, or a person in management, reach out to us to further discuss options you may have.
We also offer workplace training that is specifically designed to meet the needs of an organization. This training may be in virtual or in-person settings and is tailored to the organization’s needs. Please inquire by email to discuss what we can offer and the cost of the service.
Elder Care Disputes
Disagreements surrounding elder care such as living arrangements, financial management, health decisions, and end-of-life planning, require sensitivity and clarity. Our elder care mediation offers a structured, respectful forum where family members, caregivers, and older adults can address emotions, expectations, and logistics. We help families co-create care plans that honor autonomy while ensuring safety, strengthening bonds and easing decision-making.
Conflict Resolution
Peaceful Alternatives offers tailored conflict resolution services across a range of community settings, including neighborhood disputes, tenant–landlord issues, workplace tension, and school-based conflicts. Rooted in community‑mediation best practices, our approach empowers people to address differences before they escalate.
Whether through one-on-one mediation, conflict coaching, or facilitated group dialogue, we support participants in improving communication, repairing relationships, and achieving durable agreements that reflect their shared goals and values.
Co-Parenting Classes
Peaceful Alternatives offers Co-Parenting Classes each month for those that have been Court-ordered to attend a parenting class. Peaceful Alternatives consistently seeks financial assistance through small grants to help assist parents that desire to take the class. Call the office to learn course dates and/or to register for the class.
Who Benefits From The Class
- Any parent that is co-parenting with another from a different location.
- Any parent that desires better communication skills while parenting from two homes.
- Active grandparents in their grandchildren’s lives
- A significant other in a child’s life.
- Parents contemplating separation or divorce
What You Can Expect
- An instructor with years of experience in the field
- A one-time, 4-hour class (usually held on a Saturday morning)
- A nominal investment between $10-$50 for the class, depending on funding
- Small class sizes for tailored information specific to attendees
- Borrowed benefits by learning from others in the class
- A manual you get to take home that covers much of the class
- A participation certificate at closing
Each attendee pays a small fee for a lot of information that you will begin using the first day. Call 434-929-8255 and speak directly with someone or leave a message for additional information. You may also request a call back by emailing: jdavispacms@gmail.com
Trainings
We’re committed to building local capacity by training the next generation of effective, ethical mediators. Our certification courses cover facilitative, evaluative, transformative, and narrative mediation techniques.
Participants engage in interactive workshops, role-playing, observed mediations, and co-supervision. Following completion, trainees receive certification recognized by mediation associations and may join our volunteer panel. Alumni often go on to support community disputes, workshops, schools, and organizational teams, helping us multiply impact.
