Urgent Call to Action: Supporting the Community Relations Service

​The Community Relations Service (CRS), a vital conflict-resolution agency established under the 1964 Civil Rights Act, is at risk of elimination. This essential service helps communities address tensions, supports fair housing initiatives, and facilitates mediation in times of crisis. With a public response deadline of April 2, 2025, immediate action is needed to advocate for its continuation. Contact your Congressional representatives today to voice your support and help preserve this bipartisan pillar of peace and dialogue. Read more in the blog post below.

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At NCDD, we believe in the power of constructive conversation to resolve differences and strengthen communities. Today, we're sharing an urgent message from our colleagues at the National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM) about a critical situation that demands immediate attention.

A Federal Partner for Peace in Jeopardy

​According to multiple news sources including Reuters, USA Today, and the Associated Press, the Community Relations Service (CRS) is facing potential elimination. This federal agency, established by Title X of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, has been a cornerstone in maintaining peace and addressing conflicts in communities across our nation for six decades.

The Value of the Community Relations Service

The CRS provides essential services that benefit all Americans:

• Responding when houses of worship face threats or damage
• Facilitating dialogue when communities experience tension
• Supporting fair housing initiatives
• Helping address segregation in public spaces, schools, and workplaces
• Providing mediation services when communities face conflict

These services align closely with the core values of community mediation: creating safe spaces for difficult conversations, facilitating collaborative problem-solving, and helping Americans work through differences constructively.

The deadline for public response is April 2, 2025. If you value peaceful conflict resolution and community dialogue, your voice matters.

How You Can Help

• Contact your Congressional representatives before April 2nd
• Share your perspective on the importance of the CRS
• Emphasize how mediation services benefit communities of all backgrounds and beliefs
• Highlight specific examples of how community relations work strengthens our nation

How to Find Your Congressional Representatives

• Visit the official congressional directory at congress.gov/members/find-your-member
• Enter your address in the search box to find both your Senators and House Representative
• Click on your representatives' names to access their contact information
• Call their office or use their online contact forms to share your concerns

You can also:

• Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your representative
• Visit your representatives' official websites, which typically include contact forms and local office phone numbers

Standing Together

NAFCM, which received the Friend of CRS Award in July 2024, supports the continuation of the CRS and its mission. As organizations dedicated to constructive dialogue, we recognize the significant value the CRS brings to communities across America. The CRS represents a bipartisan commitment to peaceful conflict resolution that has served our nation through administrations of both parties since 1964. The window for action is brief. Please consider reaching out to your representatives before April 2nd to help preserve this service for all.
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For additional resources, NAFCM has created a Legislative Tool Kit with suggestions for effective advocacy.