For twenty years the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center (PCRC) has played a vital role in promoting sustainability by improving the environment and community of San Mateo County. PCRC works with all parts of the community from individuals to families to schools to help prevent violence and also to mediate existing conflicts.

Who is PCRC

• Dedicated to sustainability by preventing violence in San Mateo County through conflict revolution
• PCRC’s services focus on empowering people, building relationships and reducing violence in the community
• Work at both the prevention and intervention levels

Why is this important?

• Violence breaks down individual lives, families and entire communities
• Education about conflict resolution provides a foundation for people to work successfully with others
• Empowering individuals helps them to feel responsible for their actions and motivated to be connected and engaged in their community
• There has been an increase in gang violence over the past few years- PCRC specifically emphases prevention, especially in areas “at risk” for gang violence
• Involving the full community of kids, adults, faith community, police, schools, landlords, etc., helps develop stronger neighborhoods
• Having a wide range of people active in the community means that a diverse number of voices can be heard

Who are the clients?

• Work with a variety of conflict situations including among individuals, families, schools and communities. Police and sheriff’s departments are regular users.
• PCRC both promotes awareness of conflict resolution methods in the community and applies these concepts to specific situations

What Services does PCRC provide?

• Facilitation and mediation programs
  • Primarily run by trained volunteers who work impartially in both public and private settings
  • Help organizations, groups and families to work productively together
  • Mediators do not fight for one side but help disputing parties to come to an agreement faster and easier than litigation as both parties play a role in the process
• In schools
  • Helps schools to more effectively achieve their core educational missions
  • Help educate youth through programs that are unique to the needs of each school site
  • Identify and promote the existing, positive aspects of the school
  • Work collaboratively to address the areas that need development
  • PCRC emphasizes the importance of working with students, staff and parents through their “Whole School” approach
  • Address relevant issues like diversity, peer support and emotional learning as well as bullying awareness and prevention
• Community Engagement Initiative
  • PCRC encourages community members to be actively involved with issues that concern them
    • Promotes participation in different community activities such as volunteering, mentoring and public dialogue
    • Helps to foster a meaningful connection between people and their community and diversify the voices being heard on public issues

What Is a Sustainable State?

• Community members are able to effectively work together even in complex situations
• Violence is prevented and people feel empowered and active in their community.

Learn more about the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center, visit: www.pcrcweb.org.