The nonprofit Family and Community Mediation recently launched specialized mediation services for older Harpswell residents who may be experiencing abuse, family conflict, or housing challenges.

A grant from the Maine Women’s Giving Tree is supporting mediation services, as well as sliding-scale scholarships, in Harpswell. Family and Community Mediation also collaborates with the Elder Abuse Institute of Maine and Legal Services for the Elderly to provide conflict coaching and mediation for the 50-plus population.

Since 2018, Family and Community Mediation has offered affordable and accessible mediation throughout Maine, on Zoom and in person. Family and Community Mediation serves families impacted by divorce, co-parenting concerns, stepparenting, loss of caregivers, financial instability, addiction, mental illness, disabilities, and/or domestic violence. The organization also provides mediation services for housing disputes, such as conflict between neighbors, roommates, or landlords and tenants.

Family and Community Mediation is dedicated to continually improving and expanding its services to Maine’s most vulnerable populations. According to President Joyce Wethington, the organization’s volunteers “empower participants experiencing conflict and promote productive conversations that reduce stress, resolve disputes, and decrease the necessity of involvement from the court system.”

For more information about services, or to donate, visit mainefcm.org.