Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County

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Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County Conflict-Resolution, Mediation, Training and Volunteering
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/disputeresolutionthurston Civic Harmony Starts Here!

For 30 years, the Dispute Resolution Center has served residents of Thurston and south Mason Counties through a variety of resources to individuals, families, businesses and organizations, and the broader community, to help manage and resolve conflict, to prevent conflict when possible, and to create a more civil and peaceful community. Our Services:
- Mediation - Our trained and certified mediators serve as impartial facilitators to help people in conflict work toward mutually beneficial agreements.
- Conflict Resolution Resource Line - We provide conflict coaching, information and referrals, and arrange face-to-face mediations.
- Group Facilitation - We help work teams and other groups run orderly and productive meetings, and achieve key goals.
- Training - We provide customized training to businesses and organizations to prevent and manage workplace conflict, promote teamwork and improve customer service
- Youth Empowerment & School Support - We partner with local schools to offer training and support to help the next generation communicate through conflict
- Restorative Justice Facilitated Dialogue - We partner with Thurston County Drug Court to help individuals affected by crime engage in difficult conversations in an effort to hear each other, deepen understanding, and heal the harms caused.
- Eviction Resolution Program Pilot (ERPP) – We help to resolve landlord and tenant disputes before they lead to court filings and evictions, at no cost. Our Impact:
The DRC annually serves more than 6,000 members of our community through this array of services. Our Volunteers:
The DRC's services are made possible by the efforts of more than 140 volunteers who collectively give over 5,000 hours of service each year to help create a more civil and peaceful community. Our Reach:
The DRC of Thurston County is one of 21 dispute resolution centers serving communities across Washington State, working collaboratively through their umbrella organization, Resolution Washington.

Make a Request:Listen first. Then make a clear, kind request. When conflict shows up, it is easy to lead with frustratio...
10/09/2026

Make a Request:
Listen first. Then make a clear, kind request.

When conflict shows up, it is easy to lead with frustration: what is wrong, what feels unfair, or what someone did not do. Active listening helps us slow down enough to hear the need underneath the complaint.

Once the need is clearer, a request gives the conversation a next step. The best requests are specific, respectful, and doable.

Visit our website to learn more about our free Conflict SMART Course>> https://www.mediatethurston.org/conflict-smart-course.html

Join us at the DRC's offices in West Olympia for a special evening Tuesday, October 27th, from 5:30pm -7:00pm with longt...
10/09/2026

Join us at the DRC's offices in West Olympia for a special evening Tuesday, October 27th, from 5:30pm -7:00pm with longtime DRC volunteer Shelley Kirk-Rudeen as she celebrates the release of her newest poetry collection, "Seven Kinds of Medicine".

Inspired by a dream that reminded her "it's not that complicated," Shelley's collection explores the many unexpected ways we find healing in our lives and in one another. As a former DRC mediator and conciliator, Shelley has witnessed firsthand the healing that can happen when people truly feel heard and, in turn, hear each other.

RSVP Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-of-poetry-with-volunteer-shelley-kirk-rudeen-tickets-1996903823090?aff=oddtdtcreator

This is a free event, we'll provide light snacks and refreshments. We hope you'll join us for an evening of poetry, community, and giving back.

We're excited to partner with Shelton Parks & Recreation to bring our Conflict Crash Course training to the Shelton comm...
10/08/2026

We're excited to partner with Shelton Parks & Recreation to bring our Conflict Crash Course training to the Shelton community!

Join us on Saturday, November 14th, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for this engaging 4-hour training designed to help you navigate conflict with confidence and build stronger connections. Through interactive activities, practical tools, and guided by experience mediators you'll learn skills to improve communication, strengthen relationships, manage conflict effectively, and prevent conversations from escalating.

Register here through Shelton's Parks and Rec Portal >> https://www.mediatethurston.org/conflict-crash-course.html

Whether at home, work, or in your community, these skills can make a difference every day.

Just 2 weeks away from our Conflict Crash Course! We welcome everyone to join, there are great learning exercises with e...
10/05/2026

Just 2 weeks away from our Conflict Crash Course! We welcome everyone to join, there are great learning exercises with experienced mediators and we meet our participants where they are at in their conflict communication journey.

October is Community Conflict Resolution Month in Washington State, a time when we recognize the many people who make th...
10/05/2026

October is Community Conflict Resolution Month in Washington State, a time when we recognize the many people who make the work of the Dispute Resolution Center possible: our volunteers, supporters, advocates and community partners.

Because of your support, the DRC helps thousands of people navigate conflict and strengthen relationships.

Together, we are helping to build a South Sound community that has and uses healthy and respectful conflict resolution skills.

“People don’t just hear words. They understand what you mean and why it matters; that’s the power of Active Listening. B...
10/02/2026

“People don’t just hear words. They understand what you mean and why it matters; that’s the power of Active Listening. By hearing the feelings behind the words, they move from conflict to connection and could start [working] together….”

Mentally shift from “What’s my comeback?” to “What are they really saying?”

Active Listening is...

Attending: Giving non-verbal cues to show you are paying attention
Pacing: Matching the pace and energy of the speaker
Reflecting: saying back the factual and emotional content of what you heard
Acknowledging: Showing that you really understand what they are experiencing

Practice distilling meaning in real time. In one sentence, try to summarize what you think the person meant or felt. How did your summary change the way you perceived their message?

Visit our website to learn more through our free Conflict SMART Course>> https://www.mediatethurston.org/conflict-smart-course.html

Attention State Employees & Retirees.The Washington State Combined Fund Drive is now underway. Please consider supportin...
10/02/2026

Attention State Employees & Retirees.

The Washington State Combined Fund Drive is now underway. Please consider supporting the Dispute Resolution Center's community-building work with your CFD pledge or a one-time gift.

Through monthly payroll or PERS deductions, your support will help us:
- Keep mediation and conflict resolution services accessible
- Train the next generation of peacemakers
- Strengthen families, workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods

To make a monthly pledge or one-time gift to the DRC through the Washington State Combined Fund Drive, click here for the CFD Charity Search page > https://www2.give.wa.gov/search

The Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County's CFD Charity Number is 0316167.

Each square on this bingo card represents a small skill, mindset, or action that helps build stronger relationships and ...
10/01/2026

Each square on this bingo card represents a small skill, mindset, or action that helps build stronger relationships and healthier conversations.

As you complete squares, you'll be practicing real-world peacemaking skills like:

- Active listening
- Managing emotions
- Asking powerful questions
- Identifying hidden needs and values
- and Finding common ground

As you work through the bingo card, challenge yourself to notice not just what people are saying, but why it matters to them. That's where understanding begins, and where lasting solutions are often found.

Your goal isn't to get Bingo as fast as possible. Your goal is to become more Conflict SMART, one square at a time.

Visit our website to learn more about our free Conflict SMART Course>> https://www.mediatethurston.org/conflict-smart-course.html

Governor Bob Ferguson has proclaimed October as Community Conflict Resolution Month.  Please join us in celebrating the ...
10/01/2026

Governor Bob Ferguson has proclaimed October as Community Conflict Resolution Month.

Please join us in celebrating the community-building work of the network of 21 Dispute Resolution Centers serving residents across Washington state.

Learn more > https://www.resolutionwa.org

Limited Spots Available, join us in transforming how we approach communication & conflict. This work is important not on...
09/29/2026

Limited Spots Available, join us in transforming how we approach communication & conflict. This work is important not only on a personal level but as a way to connect within a community.

Register today>> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1689077529359?aff=oddtdtcreator

“The training on ‘Culture and Power’ offered by the Thurston County DRC was exactly what I needed for my work in public service and in my life.” - Training Participant

Date: Tuesday, October 20th
Time: 8:30AM - 12:30PM

This interactive online training uses exercises and reflective dialogue to help you name invisible dynamics, navigate power imbalances, and build communication that honors difference while getting work done.

Register now to gain practical tools for more equitable, effective conversations. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1689077529359?aff=oddtdtcreator
#𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀

Address

​2604 12th Court SW, Suite A-2
Olympia, WA
98502

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

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