Peer Mediation And Skills Training (PMAST) believes that proactively providing youth and families with the skills to handle conflict, can significantly reduce bullying, violence, stress and issues affecting a person’s wellbeing.

We provide services and programs for youth, families and communities to develop and practice conflict management, relationship management, emotional health and wellness, resiliency and leadership skills.

Using schools as a venue, we contribute to keeping young people in school and reducing bullying and violence, while providing skills to use throughout their lives. Our youth represent a broad cross section of the population including, but not limited to, Indigenous youth, new Canadians, youth at risk, LGBTQ, and those from various socio-economic backgrounds.

CONNECTED FAMILIES PROGRAM

A 9-week (one 1.5 hour online class per week) program for parents and teens, which explores family dynamics together by learning tips and triggers to conflict, communication skills and engaging in fun, wholesome and respectful dialogue.

More information about the Connected Families program

Registration for Connected Families is now open.  Please register here

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SKILLS (YES)

An 8-week workshop which supports youth in understanding gender differences and approaches to dealing with conflict, bullying, and disputes. Practical skills are shared to help participants reduce bullying and tension in their social environments while building respect, compassion, empathy, resiliency, and communication skills to resolve disputes and manage conflict. This workshop also has a version designed for a culturally diverse population to recognize the social diversity within families and communities.

CONFLICT SEMINAR SERIES

We provide participants with the practical skills to successfully diffuse and manage conflict, disputes, and bullying. This training is applicable to students, families, school staff, communities, and corporations alike. The program consists of three to four hours per module: 

  1. Conflict Management Training (CMT) includes awareness of conflict styles, building empathy and relationship management.
  2. Advanced Communication Skills (ACT) provides students with micro skills in active listening and getting to the root cause of the conflict, with the help of coaches who are practicing mediators in the field.
  3. Negotiation Development Training (NDT) provides the learner with a process to be able to negotiate with other parties, actively applies skills learned in modules 1 and 2 and includes active practice sessions with coaches certified in this area.

PEER PROGRAM

A full-time in-school program where students receive training in basic communication skills, with a mediator/trainer dedicated to shared language and intention.   Students can then take ownership and become leaders to implement conflict management and dispute resolution skills in their schools, which has proven to be much more effective than adult intervention.  Peer mediators reach out within their school and help other students resolve their disputes and/or manage conflicts under the direct supervision of a coach/practicing mediator in the field. PMAST continues with support services and training for peer mediators.  This practical exercise provides students with real live experiences in the field of Mediation, contributing to their transition into the workforce and their capacity as leaders and team builders.

WELLNESS SYMPOSIUM

An all-day, school-wide workshop for youth, school staff, and community members. This event involves 20-25 motivational and inspirational speakers, who volunteer their time and services to unite youth to learn strategies to recognize and deal with issues affecting their overall well-being. This symposium is designed to raise awareness of issues impacting their well-being which, if not dealt with, can develop into chronic issues affecting them throughout their lives. To prevent issues adversely affecting their lives it is critical that young people are able to recognize these issues and are encouraged to seek support. PMAST focuses on providing that awareness, reducing the stigma of openly discussing emotional and mental health issues and ensuring youth have access to the necessary support systems.

SUPERPOWER PACKAGE

A 20-hour evening program provided by PMAST for anyone from the community.  This program provides training in basic conflict management skills and raises awareness of how people interact while learning strategies to effectively manage conflict.

POSITIVE TICKETING

A program rewarding youth for good deeds and acts of kindness; a community initiative.