We facilitated agreement between Burns area family members involved in a long-standing dispute over child visitation. Our mediator, CL was especially qualified to handle cases involving Native American disputes within the Tribal Court system for the Burns-Paitue Reservation. She helped a grandmother/guardian and two related aunts come to terms on just how visitation arrangements between three parties could be successfully handled to the benefit of all, especially for the two children involved. The parties paid a reduced rate for our services - based on a sliding scale we utilize taking into account each person's financial ability to pay - and left quite relieved to have defined when, where, and under what circumstances each would continue to see these children over the long term.
We facilitated agreement between a Bend area homeowner and her mortgage lender to avoid foreclosure and the loss of her home. Our mediation certified facilitator, CL helped organize and lead discussion between this homeowner and representatives of the mortgage lender. Every potential foreclosure case is different and in this instance the parties agreed to revisit the original home loan terms and develop a refinancing option best suited to enable the homeowner's changed financial circumstances. The homeowner departed paying no direct fee to our organization for services, as our participation in the Oregon Foreclosure Avoidance Program or OFAP provides payment to us for services rendered in such cases.
We helped an unmarried Madras area mother and father develop a co-parenting plan, the first time they had ever put agreements in writing. Our experienced co-mediators, RW and JG - one man and one woman - helped this couple come to terms with an upcoming move to Portland by the father due to work, and the resulting changes in their lives that move would bring. The couple paid a reduced rate for our services - based on a sliding scale we utilize taking into account each person's financial ability to pay - and left quite relieved to have defined when, where, and under what circumstances each would continue to see their four year old daughter.
We assisted two Bend area mobile home park residents come to agreement on steps needed to improve living conditions in their adjacent lots. Our open-minded mediator, JR brought both parties to the table and helped each voice their concerns for the condition and use of their neighbor's lots. Alternatives were devised by both parties that included clean-up, shared use of equipment, and ultimate sale of one lot to the benefit of both involved. Both residents departed paying no direct fee to our organization for services, as our contract with the Oregon Manufactured Communities Resource Center or MCRC provides payment to us for services rendered in such cases.
We guided a divorcing Terrebonne area couple through the process of developing a fair, equitable financial and property settlement. Our understanding co-mediators, LT and RW - again, one man and one woman - helped this couple identify what assets each valued and deserved individually. At the same time, our efforts helped each communicate openly in order to compromise on just how to divide jointly held assets, clearly outlining which person would handle specific actions related to family trust, bank account, and investment holdings. The couple agreed to pay the flat rate fee for our services, sharing total cost in a spirit of fairness. They left satisfied with the time and effort put into the settlement, thankful that such action was handled outside expensive court proceedings.
