Building bridges since 1979.
The Community Dispute Settlement Center is a nonprofit mediation and training center in greater Boston dedicated to providing an alternative and affordable forum for resolving conflict.
We are committed to making our services accessible to underserved populations and to addressing emerging community needs.
What We Do at CDSC
CDSC promotes better ways to understand and deal with conflict through skilled teams of pro bono mediators and facilitators, training programs in mediation and conflict management, and broad community outreach.
Mediation
In mediation, people with differing views discuss issues they need help resolving with an impartial third party. A mediator’s guidance and facilitation helps the people involved arrive at solutions.
Facilitation & Conflict Coaching
Using time-tested principles of constructive dialogue, we help groups in conflict carefully prepare for constructive discussions.
Trainings & Workshops
Deal with conflict effectively and get tools for your toolbox. Join a CDSC training, or request a customized skill-based workshop.
Who We Work With
For nearly 50 years, CDSC has been a non-profit provider of affordable conflict resolution services to individuals and community organizations in Greater Boston.
For Clients
Our services offer a confidential way for clients to resolve any type of conflict with the help of a CDSC-qualified neutral mediator. Each of our clients has a voice and is part of the solution. Our goal is to reduce stress and help clients move forward—without the high cost, time commitment, or complexity of legal action.
For Volunteers
CDSC’s professional mediation training program prepares volunteers to guide clients through a range of conflicts toward peaceful resolution, limiting the role of the legal system. CDSC nurtures an environment of personal growth and networking within its community of volunteer
For Community Partners
CDSC provides coaching, training, facilitation and mediation to resolve conflicts. By partnering with CDSC, you will better address the conflict resolution needs of your community. Our goal is to enable our partners to focus on their core mission, improve their reputation with their members, and optimize their resources.
Latest News & Events
Join us for BASH 2026!
Celebrating peacemakers, honoring our community, and fueling CDSC's work to resolve conflict peacefully,together, virtually.CDSC promotes better ways to understand and peacefully resolve conflict through skilled pro bono mediators and training programs in mediation...
Community Dispute Settlement Center Names Lincoln Taggart as its new Executive Director
Cambridge, MA – October 1, 2026. The Community Dispute Settlement Center (CDSC) announced today the appointment of Lincoln Taggart as its new Executive Director, effective September 30, 2026. Taggart, a Cambridge resident, has more than 20 years of experience guiding...
Read CDSC’s September Newsletter
Download this newsletter as a PDF. Hello CDSC Friends. For me, September brings thoughts of school. If you're using this time to think about your professional development activities this fall, please consider our Basic Mediation Training. The course isn't just for...
Sponsor Our 2026 CDSC Bash!
CDSC promotes better ways to understand and peacefully resolve conflict through skilled pro bono mediators and training programs in mediation and conflict management. CDSC also provides free and low-cost mediation and conflict resolution services, which helps keep...
Read CDSC’s June Newsletter
Download this newsletter as a PDF. Hello CDSC Friends. As we welcome summer, this newsletter will update you on all things CDSC. Our Board of Directors is leading the search for our next Executive Director while our staff and volunteers continue to do their...
Read CDSC’s March Newsletter
We are proud to announce that this past fiscal year we mediated over 30% more cases and trained over 55% more people compared to the previous fiscal year, for a total of over 2,000 people served last fiscal year between our training and other conflict resolution services. This means we more than doubled our services in less than two years.
Upcoming Events
Contact CDSC
60 Gore Street, Suite 201
Cambridge, MA 02141-1236
Phone: 617-876-5376
To request mediation, facilitation or conflict coaching: cdscintake@communitydispute.org
For all other inquiries: cdscinfo@communitydispute.org