By Marian Pontz
Advoz: Mediation & Restorative Practices is a longtime partner of the Gifts That Give Hope Alternative Gift Fair. As Krista Rittenhouse explained early in our interview, they are excited to be there once again on December 10, 2023. Rittenhouse has worked with Advoz for six years — first as a volunteer, and now as the director of restorative practices.
“Our work provides hope for families, students, and the community,” Rittenhouse said. “Where there is conflict and a harmful breakdown in relationships, we — at Advoz — through restorative practices and mediation, help to repair and rebuild trust necessary to rebuild those relationships.”
She continued, “The Gifts That Give Hope Alternative Gift Fair gives us an opportunity to share the word that Advoz exists as a resource that folks can call as they navigate their conflict journey.” Advoz, with its very skilled team, provides a number of these services for the community.
Restorative Justice: During three 45-minute sessions (more if needed), she helps to raise the question of ‘How do we make things right?’ between offenders, victims, and their families. It is not a mandated program. However, with strong support systems, a whole lot of courage from all parties involved, and a slowing down of the conversation which allows barriers to be dropped and hard things to be faced and wrestled with, these conversations can help everyone involved find their best selves and possibly break the hurt cycle.
Mediation: The most used type of mediation at Advoz is their divorce and custody mediation. Divorce is expensive, and lawyers are often looking at a win/lose scenario for their clients. However, the trained team at Advoz (though not legal counsel) helps to elevate the voices of everyone involved. Their goal is for all parties to feel they have reached a fair and appropriate settlement — where all needs, even those of the children, are addressed in an open, safe, and truthful manner. Rittenhouse says the organization averages two to three divorce mediations per month. The agreements reached through Advoz are filed as part of the divorce decree, saving all parties from enormous legal fees and years of delay
Making Peace Family Workshop: As any parent of a teenager can attest, sometimes outside help is needed. The frustration during this time pushes and pulls at the parent/child relationship. Even the best relationships can find themselves struggling and communication difficult.
For this reason, Advoz has created a half-day (8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) Saturday program: Making Peace. During this time, parents can speak with other parents and caregivers, and teenagers with other teenagers, and Advoz-trained volunteers. After all parties spend some time learning and practicing communication strategies, family pairings are brought in to practice those strategies with one another.
Many folks would likely agree that we have seen an uptick in conflict in recent years. It is not isolated to politics or athletic games alone. People are tense and are on edge. Students in schools are reacting and acting out in ways that many veteran teachers have never seen. As we all grapple with this stress and tension, perhaps we should turn to a local community organization—one steeped in 40 years of conflict resolution experience. Advoz has trained volunteers, and are always looking for more, to help build community and communication. Volunteers can work in schools, homes, and more — wherever walls and divisions have been built and communication has broken down. As Rittenhouse said, “Conflict resolution is exciting work. We are enhancing and strengthening our community by showing them what is possible with accessible and time-honored communication strategies.”
As the indomitable Eleanor Roosevelt, chairperson and one of the writers of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary on December 10, said: "For it isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work at it." Advoz is doing that very important work.
Speak with the Advoz team at the Gifts That Give Hope Alternative Gift Fair on Sunday, December 10, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Farm & Home Center (1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster).
