Dear friend of RSI,
With the giving season upon us, I want to tell you about how Resolution Systems Institute is directly and profoundly helping people through mediation services – and ask for your support. These services are some of many ways RSI helps improve access to justice by enhancing court ADR.
Did you know that along with our research, resources, evaluation and dispute system design services,RSI operates two foreclosure mediation programs and a child protection mediation program in northern Illinois?
The media may not be covering foreclosure any more, but many homeowners who experience job loss, high medical expenses and divorce still find themselves in danger of losing their homes. In Kane and Lake counties, RSI works with homeowners, lawyers, lenders, the court and experienced mediators to help work out whether there is a way for homeowners to retain their homes. This past year, our programs served 423 homeowners, resulting in 83 homes saved from foreclosure.
RSI also works to help keep children safe and minimize their time in foster care. Through our Child Protection Mediation program in Kane County, RSI brings together volunteer mediators to help families and social workers achieve those goals. Here’s what one party said after a mediation: “I was finally able to talk to [the other party] as an equal and I feel like they finally heard me. I don’t think I could have done this without [the mediators’] help.”
We are grateful for the support we receive from the courts and from funders like the Illinois Bar Foundation for these programs. But those do not cover all the costs of these programs. Your donation will support access to justice through mediation and through RSI’s research, resources, evaluation and dispute system design programs.
Please make a contribution to RSI. We are a tax-exempt, 501(c)3 non-profit organization, so your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. You will be helping families and homeowners and supporting everything else RSI does to improve access to justice through court ADR.
Thank you!
Susan M. Yates