Our History and Philosophy

The Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends founded Community Dispute Settlement Programs in the mid 1970's. In 1981, it was established as a separate non-profit organization focused on assisting people to resolve conflict in peaceful, non-violent ways.

In 2001, Community Dispute Settlement Programs changed its name to Center for Resolutions (CFR). Our name change was an integral part of our expansion plans to provide services to surrounding geographical areas including Chester County, which do not have access to mediation and conflict resolutions services.

All of our programs embrace the same philosophical constructs as that of our mediation program:

• CFR relies on trained volunteers to provide mediation and conflict resolutions services.
• CFR assists youth and adults in the process of resolving their own conflicts.
• CFR provides an avenue for citizens to become involved in serving their community.
• CFR builds systems which are maintained by its constituents.
• CFR provides opportunities for individuals to become leaders in their families, schools, work groups and communities!