Born out of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, NAFCM links and supports a nation-wide network of 350+ locally-led dispute resolution centers. Together, NAFCM and these centers are developing creative and constructive responses to the emerging conflicts the US faces. Exciting recent initiatives include:

Creating eviction prevention programs to mediate mutually-agreed rent payment plans between landlords and tenants, addressing the "eviction tsunami" that was being caused by the pandemic.
Creating a schoolboard/community toolbox to help schools and communities have more constructive conversations about education.
Offering de-escalation training for election officials and poll workers in the midst of increasing election-related tensions.

This work mirrors the diversity of this country. Some centers explicitly take on issues of race. Others, in more homogeneous regions, focus on issues such as homelessness, citizens returning from incarceration, and even how dwindling water resources should be shared. Indeed, one or more NAFCM member center has taken on some aspect of just about every issue that has divided the United States since its creation.

Because NAFCM has authentic, trusting relationships with its centers, and those centers have authentic, trusting relationships with their communities, NAFCM is able to support effective peacebuilding at the local level and spread that energy and wisdom across the country.

Join us in this fulfilling, engaging work!

Momentum May 2026

Community Mediation is Community Mobilization - Start the Ripple