Dispute Resolution Center

Meet Gustavo!

Gustavo Vieira, Brazilian, a passionate advocate for conflict resolution, joined our team as Mediation Coordinator after completing his Masters in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University in June 2022. Since his arrival, Gustavo has exemplified unwavering dedication to our mission. Through his commitment and compassion, he has played a pivotal role in helping individuals find stable housing, shielding families from harassment, and providing organizations with the predictability they need to thrive. 

We believed in Gustavo's skills and experience so much, that we invested in his H1B work visa to allow him to continue his incredible work at DRC. This is the first time in DRC's history that we advocated and supported an immigrant. This investment was recognized and awarded by the government of the United States, further validating the impact of his contributions to our community. We give our deepest appreciation to LOCKRIDGE GRINDAL NAUEN P.L.L.P. for assisting us with the process. 

In Gustavo’s own words: "I came to DRC struggling mentally with anxiety and depression; I went through so many challenges and changes in a short period that I felt my body could not take more. I took a break, and my family came to visit me in Saint Paul from Brazil. At the beginning of 2023, I started putting the pieces together about what those events meant to me and my career and since then I have been finding purpose and connection to the work that I do. Now I can say that my vision is to provide not only a customized mediation process but overall support to clients to overcome their deepest struggles from a place of love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, gentleness, empathy, non-judgment, self-control, and hope. My efforts are to create a holistic and comprehensive program that meets the needs of harmony and other needs that I hear clients share and connect them with organizations to fulfill those needs. Community conflict resolution is much more than communication, negotiation, and agreement, but the overall well-being and meeting people’s personal and cultural needs."

Gustavo's story highlights the transformative power of our work. At DRC, we firmly believe that community conflict resolution and restorative practices are more than just communication and negotiation—it's about nurturing well-being, fostering understanding, and building bridges of support for individuals, youth, families, businesses, and non-profit organizations!

We invite you to join us in our mission to empower communities and transform lives. Your support will enable us to continue providing customized services, holistic support, and meaningful connections to those in need. Together, we can create a harmonious and inclusive community where individuals find solace, families experience security, and organizations thrive.

Thank you for considering our cause. Your support is not just a donation; it's an investment in a brighter future for our community.

With Gratitude and Warm Regards,

Roslyn Harmon

Executive Director

Dispute Resolution Center, Saint Paul, MN