Pay It Forward: Longtime volunteer helps resolve conflicts peacefully
Campbell Porter
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Our Pay It Forward program recognizes people who make our community a better place to live. Tonight, we introduced you to someone who’s devoted decades to helping others find common ground.
For 28 years, Charlie Young has volunteered as a mediator for the Deschutes County Courts. Mediation offers a legal alternative to trial — instead of taking a dispute before a judge or jury, people can sit down with someone like Young to peacefully work out their differences. The agreements reached in mediation are legally binding, but often the process helps both sides find a middle ground that satisfies everyone involved.
We met Young just after he finished training a new group of volunteer mediators. He explained that one of the most important skills they focus on is building trust and understanding with the people they’re helping.
“Not only do we have to let these people know we’re listening to their perspective,” Young said, “we’re trying to develop a relationship with them so they feel comfortable sharing with us their story.”
Young has even written a book on mediation, which is used as part of the training program in Deschutes County.
As part of our Pay It Forward segment, we surprised him with $500 to give back to the community. He and his wife decided to donate the money to StirrUp Purpose, a local equine therapy organization.
Young said he was more than happy to give the money to a worthy cause — but what he really hopes is that more people will choose to volunteer as mediators.