History
The Piedmont Dispute Resolution Center, located in historic Old Town Warrenton, Virginia, plays an important role in helping to build and maintain healthy local communities. Founded in 1990 by a group of civic-minded citizens, the Center’s services promote justice, non-violence and the peaceful resolution of conflict. A Piedmont United Way Agency, the Center serves the counties of Culpeper, Fauquier, Loudoun, Madison, Prince William, Rappahannock, Spotsylvania, Stafford, the Cities of Manassas, Manassas Park and surrounding areas. Its mediation, restorative justice, multi-party facilitation services and training programs are available to individuals, families, businesses, organizations and communities-at-large.
The Center was initially established as a satellite office of the Rappahannock Mediation Center of Fredericksburg, Virginia, when the Fauquier County Department of Social Services requested local parent-teen mediation services for at-risk youth and families. A Citizens’ Advisory Board was formed and mediation services quickly expanded to include neighborhood and business conflicts and disputes involving divorce and separation. By 1993, with start-up financial assistance from the Piedmont United Way and Virginia Law Foundation and donated office space, the organization received its charter and officially became the Piedmont Dispute Resolution Center.
Over the years, the Center broadened and expanded its services to meet the expressed dispute resolution needs of our local communities and has served thousands of citizens. It has been actively involved in the statewide growth of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and is highly regarded throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States for its high caliber of professionalism and as a leader in innovative program design and implementation. Dedicated, well-trained staff and volunteers are the essence of the Center’s success.
PDRC is a non-profit IRS 501(c) (3) organization and contributions are tax deductible.
PDRC stands for the belief that conflicts can be resolved directly by the people who are affected. Guided by its mission, its services enable citizens to do just that.