Community Circles provide a safe and welcoming environment for people from all walks of life to come together and connect through conversation around various topics. Through open-hearted conversation on the first Tuesday of each month, we aim to foster empathy, understanding, and a sense of shared humanity. The months’ topics are as follows:

• June 2nd: “Life Transitions” – The challenges and joys of navigating new chapters, jobs, aging, empty nesting, or moving.
• July 7th: “Hidden Gems” – Sharing favorite local spots or little-known facts about life in Lancaster.
  August 4th: “Unsung Heroes” – Sharing stories about people who shaped our lives whom we’ve never publicly thanked.
  September 1st: “Bridging the Gap” – How can we communicate better with people who have different political or social views?
  October 6th: “Resilience and Recovery” – How do we bounce back when things don’t go as planned?
  November 3rd: “The Power of Play” – As adults, how do we find time for hobbies and joy without feeling the need to be “productive”?
  December 1st: “Mindful Living” – Ways to stay present in a fast-paced, digital world.
  

Learn and Connect with Mediation & Restorative Practices

Advoz Intro Sampler Session: Youth & Education Edition

Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at Noon

Join us for a free, 1+ hour introduction to mediation and restorative practices to:

• Learn these distinctive frameworks and how they differ from other approaches in education, workplace management, human services and legal fields,
• Practice an engaging sample training exercise used for Advoz facilitators,
• Hear personal testimonies of the impact of these methods,
• Meet Advoz staff and facilitators with the opportunity for questions and responses,
• Explore how you could get involved in the work through volunteering, professional training, and organizational partnerships.

This Community Edition features group restorative methods that positively impact challenging groups situations with organizations, faith communities, neighborhoods and other groups. 1 CLE is available for PA attorneys ($40).

Register by Tuesday, August 4 at Noon

Basic Mediation Training

October 19-20, 22, 29 and November 2-3, 2026

This highly sought interactive training equips you to learn and apply the Facilitative Mediation Model with a co-mediator in a range of disputes including neighbors, workplaces, families. landlord-tenants, and more. Using high-impact experiential and simulation learning methods, Advoz trainers guide you and your cohort to understand conflict dynamics, what situations work or don’t work for mediation, and how to successfully facilitate conflicted parties through the process, with legal and ethical considerations for using the process in Pennsylvania.

Sessions Include: 

• Oct. 19 – in person:  Fri, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM – Intro Course: Conflict, Communication & Culture
  Focus: Conflict styles and frameworks, mediation paradigm, bias & margins, mindful/empathic listening, working with interests vs. positions.

  Oct. 20 – in person: Sat, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
  Focus: Mediation models, resolution strategies, facilitative mediation observation, basic skills practice, mediation setup.

  Oct. 22 & 29 – online via Zoom: Thurs., 1–5 PM
  Focus: Practicing the mediation stages, conflict resolution skills, the pre-mediation session, and using virtual mediation.

  Nov. 2 – in person: Mon., 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
  Focus: Practicing the mediation stages, advanced skills, co-mediation techniques, confidentiality, facilitated agreements.

  Nov. 3 – in person: Tue., 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
  Focus: PA standards and ethics guidelines, advanced skills, full-process practice, skill integration.

Register by October 5
Early bird discount available before August 24, with code “AdvozEarlyBird”