Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center

Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center Empowering community members to resolve conflict peacefully. We all experience conflict in deeply personal ways.

Whether you are in conflict with a family member, neighbor, or co-worker, it can have a physiological, financial, emotional toll. Every day, people come to the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center feeling this pain. At the heart of all of us is the need to be heard and the ability to problem solve when given the tools, support, and opportunity. The mission of the WDRC is to provide and promote const

ructive and collaborative approaches to conflict through mediation, training, facilitation and community education. When our clients leave the WDRC
- They may have created a parenting plan to bring their child out of limbo through family mediation.
- They may have worked with their bank and saved their home from foreclosure.
- They may have interacted with their child for the first time in years through Supervised Visitation. The WDRC empowers thousands of people annually to resolve conflict, build skills, imagine peace, and know that day by day, it gets better. With a lean staff and nearly 100 active volunteers, we create this space, at little or no cost to those we serve, because of community support. So, if you are caught in conflict, or wish to improve your communication skills, we can help. Give us a call at 360-676-0122 or visit www.whatcomdrc.org to learn more.

05/30/2026

Wander Back in Time with this Blast from the Past!

Take a 0.62 mile stroll down memory lane with us as we celebrate Wander 1k’s of the past. What began in 2014 as a fun community event to raise awareness and funds for the WDRC has grown into a beloved tradition.

Over the years, the Wander to Wander 1K has brought together friends, families, well-behaved pets, and plenty of JOY! More than just an impactful fundraiser, it’s a one-of-a-kind event filled with laughter, connection, and unforgettable memories.

Now it’s your turn to be part of the tradition! Whether you walk, roll, or skip along, there’s a bit of fun for everyone at the Wander to Wander 1K. Come make memories with us and help continue a community tradition that makes a difference year after year!

Buy tickets today: https://www.whatcomdrc.org/wander-to-wander

The Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center is seeking a compassionate and skilled Mediation Case Manager. This integral role ...
05/30/2026

The Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center is seeking a compassionate and skilled Mediation Case Manager. This integral role serves as a primary point of contact for community members with housing, small claims, or other community related conflicts, screening for program eligibility, conducting intakes, and preparing participants for mediation sessions. The CM will also provide referrals to external resources when a client’s needs fall outside the scope of our program. A key member of the mediation team, the CM is able to work autonomously and contribute collaboratively to ensure the provision of high quality services. An ideal candidate will bring a thoughtful approach to working with the public, be highly skilled in listening deeply and compassionately with a trauma-informed lens, and will share a strong belief in the mission of the WDRC, embracing the opportunity to work with our team.

Visit our website to learn more and apply: https://www.whatcomdrc.org/volunteer-and-job-opportunities.

05/29/2026

Today is the last day to submit a poem to the Youth Peace Poetry Contest, so put the PRO in procrastination and send us your poetry!

If you’re between the ages of 4–18 and live in Whatcom County, we want to hear YOUR voice in the Youth Peace Poetry Contest! Submit your poetry, song lyrics, flash fiction, spoken word, or any kind of creative writing by the end of day today.

What does peace mean to you? Maybe it’s standing up for others, solving conflict, or practicing deeply listening. Maybe it’s sharing your dreams for a better future or finding joy in everyday moments. However you choose to express it, your words have power. We invite you to share your voice and inspire peace in our community!

Youth Peace Poet Awardees will be invited to share their poetry at our annual Peace Builder Awards and ALL participants are invited to share their work at the Youth Peace Poetry reading at Village Books this coming Fall.

Submit Your Poem Today: bit.ly/YPPC

05/18/2026

The Wander to Wander 1k is the shortest fun run in Whatcom County but it takes a BIG team to put it on! Interested in getting involved? Sign-up to volunteer!

Volunteers play an integral role in helping to ensure that this short little foot race is as safe as it is FUN! Volunteer roles range from setting up and tearing down, cheering folks on at the finish line, helping folks stay hydrated at the water stations, dressing up as a colorful crossing guard, and more.
To learn more and apply to be a bonafide Wander 1k volunteer visit: https://bit.ly/VolunteerWander1k

There’s still room in our Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback training! The WDRC is offering the Art of Giving and Rece...
05/17/2026

There’s still room in our Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback training!

The WDRC is offering the Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback with Jason Kanov on Wednesday, June 10th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.

This course explores the importance of feedback and techniques for framing feedback and receiving feedback. The training will also cover common traps to avoid, helping participants navigate difficult conversations constructively and ease.

To learn more and register visit: https://www.whatcomdrc.org/the-art-of-feedback

Thank you to everyone who joined us at our Annual Appreciation Celebration. It was a pleasure to come together and celeb...
05/16/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us at our Annual Appreciation Celebration. It was a pleasure to come together and celebrate this year’s Outstanding Volunteer Joshua-Mishra Davis, Outstanding Mediator Molly Belvo, and Outstanding Contributor, Puget Sound Energy

We are deeply grateful for our staff, volunteers, and supporters that generously dedicate their time, energy, connections, and resources to help further our mission. It is thanks to the support we receive from our strong and caring community that neighbors are finding constructive ways to navigate conflict, young people are building lifelong communication skills, and families are receiving the support they need to reconnect.

We also want to give a special shout out to the community partners who helped make this event possible: Thank you to Lost Giants Cider Company for generously hosting us, Costco of Bellingham for providing our desserts, the folks at Lutheran Community Services Northwest and Whatcom County Health and Community Services for supplying tables and chairs, Garden Spot Nursery or donating wildflower seeds for all our guests, and Allied Arts Of Whatcom County for donating art supplies for our interactive peace tree.

And thank you to all the supporters that were unable to make it but are nonetheless near and dear to the WDRC and our community.

05/15/2026

There’s still time!

Youth aged 4 to 18, living in Whatcom County, can submit poetry, lyrics, flash fiction, or any form of written word to our Youth Peace Poetry Contest now through May 29th.

Peace can be represented in many ways. Past poems have covered topics like respect, deep listening, ways to resolve conflicts, dreams for the future, celebrating peaceful moments, to name a few.

Winners will be invited to share their poetry at our annual Peace Builder Awards and ALL participants will receive an invitation to share their work at the Youth Peace Poetry reading at Village Books this coming Fall.

Visit bit.ly/YPPC to learn more or submit a poem.

05/13/2026

Get your tickets before they run out! 🏃‍♀️ The Wander to Wander 1K, Whatcom County’s shortest and most joyful fun-run, is back and right around the corner. Bring the whole crew, kids, friends, neighbors, and even your well-behaved furry companions, for a day packed with laughter, connection, community spirit, and just the right amount of movement. Whether you come to stroll or sprint, this is one feel-good event you won’t want to miss!

When: Saturday, June 6th
Where: From WDRC’s Office (206 Prospect St) to Wander Brewing (1807 Dean Ave)
Tickets: $30 pre-registration; $35 day-of registration; FREE for kids under 10
*Registration includes race entry, drink ticket, and a donut*

Why: This event supports the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center’s free and sliding scale conflict resolution services, which serve thousands of our local community members.

🎟️ Learn more and register now on our website: https://www.whatcomdrc.org/wander-to-wander

Address

Bellingham, WA
98225

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category