Dialogue Project
The Dialogue Project is a collaborative project to improve our ability to engage in dialogue
and develop solutions to issues from within our local community.
Project Milestone: Program Completion
The Dialogue Project has successfully concluded all three phases of programming, with the final Community Empowerment Session held on April 27th. A comprehensive final report documenting the project’s outcomes, insights, and impact is currently in development and will be available upon completion.
In the meantime, we invite you to explore the Harborside Chats and Community Empowerment Sessions reports below to learn more about the project’s discussions and findings.
Community Empowerment Sessions Reports
After Harborside Chats wrapped up, the Dialogue Project hosted a series of six Community Empowerment Sessions, where we provided a range of tools and insights from community leaders across various partner agencies. These sessions will offered informational resources, a supportive place to learn, connect, and more.
“I learned how to get along better with people who do not think like me and also how to mend bridges that have been broken”
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The inaugural Community Empowerment session, held on October 16, 2024 at Grays Harbor College and organized by The Dialogue Project of the Dispute Resolution Centers of Grays Harbor and Pacific County (DRC), curated an interactive learning experience on how to navigate election-related stress. The DRC brought in local library experts to explain how algorithms shape the information folks encounter and shared ways local libraries can be empowering resources. We also brought on Dr. Bre, a Therapist and Executive Coach for this session who provided strategies for managing emotional stress in divisive discussions. Dawn from the DRC taught practical techniques for handling interpersonal conflict.
Read the full report by clicking here. -
The Dispute Resolution Center of Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties (DRC) through its Dialogue Project held an Encore Electorate First Aid Community Empowerment session on October 29, 2024 in response to community interest in a lunchtime virtual alternative. The DRC curated an interactive learning experience on how to navigate election-related stress. The DRC brought back local library experts to explain how algorithms shape the information folks encounter and shared ways local libraries can be empowering resources. We also brought back Dr. Bre, a Therapist and Executive Coach for this session who provided strategies for managing emotional stress in divisive discussions. Dawn from the DRC taught practical techniques for handling interpersonal conflict.
Read the full report by clicking here. -
The Dispute Resolution Center of Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties (DRC) through its Dialogue Project held a Community Empowerment Session titled Conflict and Communication Lab at Events on Emerson in Hoquiam on October 8, 2025 in. The DRC curated a bilingual (English/Spanish) interactive learning experience designed to teach attendees the basics on strengthening their interpersonal communication and conflict resolution skills. This document reports the event’s outcomes.
Read the full report by clicking here. -
The Dispute Resolution Center of Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties (DRC) through its Dialogue Project held a Community Empowerment Session titled Intro to Conflict Resolution Lab at the Lions’ Club in Ocean Shores on April 6, 2026. The DRC curated an interactive learning experience designed to teach attendees the basics on conflict resolution skills. Attendees learned to view conflict not as an inherently negative event, but as a constructive tool that can spark innovation, improve problem-solving, and drive change. To effectively navigate these dynamics, the training outlines a structured seven-step conflict resolution process - moving from problem identification and active listening through brainstorming, evaluating options, and implementation - and introduces the Thomas-Kilmann (TKI) model to help individuals understand and adapt their approach across five distinct conflict styles: competing, collaborating, compromising, avoiding, and accommodating.
Read the full report by clicking here. -
The Dispute Resolution Center of Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties (DRC) through its Dialogue Project held a Community Empowerment Session titled “Beyond the Breaking Wave: De-Escalation Tools for When Conflicts Arise” at Events on Emerson in Hoquiam on April 11, 2026. The DRC curated an interactive learning experience designed to teach attendees de-escalation tools for when conversations become heated.
Read the full report by clicking here. -
The Dispute Resolution Center of Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties (DRC) through its Dialogue Project held a Community Empowerment Session titled Intro to Interpersonal Communications Lab at the Lions’ Club in Ocean Shores on April 27, 2026. The DRC curated an interactive learning experience designed to teach attendees the basics on interpersonal communication skills. This training directly benefits the community by equipping its members and local leaders with the essential tools to navigate disagreements constructively - the training is designed to build community resilience from the ground up.
Read the full report by clicking here.
Harborside Chats Reports
Dialogue Project’s Harborside Chats spark community discussions on local issues. Each session will yield prioritized lists of what needs action in our communities. These reports, valuable for transparent communication, reflect community voices and guide future initiatives. Click to explore our post-event reports for a snapshot of discussions and a deeper understanding of community engagement - the gateway to voices shaping our community's future.
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The Harborside Chat, held on December 9, 2023, at the Cosmopolis Lions Club and organized by The Dialogue Project of the Dispute Resolution Centers of Grays Harbor and Pacific County, facilitated discussions on vital local issues.
Highlights
Participants hailed from Aberdeen (54.55%) and Cosmopolis (36.36%), with a single attendee from Grayland.
The majority (92%) of attendees were over 50 years old. Forty-five percent were between 60-69.
45% of respondents to the demographic survey, 60% identified as female and 40% as male.
The ethnic composition was 91% White, with 9% of respondents identifying as Hispanic, White, and of other mixed ethnicities.
Eleven community members attended, 30% of the intended capacity.
Read the full report and lists of what needs action in our communities by clicking here.
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The Harborside Chat Virtual Edition, held on January 10, 2024, on Zoom and organized by The Dialogue Project of the Dispute Resolution Centers of Grays Harbor and Pacific County, facilitated discussions on vital local issues. This document reports the event’s outcomes and the participants’ expressed interests and needs.
Highlights
Participants hailed from Aberdeen (80%) and Montesano (20%).
The majority (50%) of attendees were between the ages of 40-49. 17% were 30-39, 17% were 50-59, and 17% were aged 60-69 years of age.
Six community members attended, 20% of the intended capacity.
Read the full report and lists of what needs action in our communities by clicking here.
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The Harborside Chat Virtual Edition, held on February 10, 2024, Ocosta Jr & Sr High School and organized by The Dialogue Project of the Dispute Resolution Centers of Grays Harbor and Pacific County, facilitated discussions on vital local issues.
Highlights
Participants hailed from Westport (56%), Aberdeen (33%), and Grayland (11%).
The majority (50%) of attendees were between the ages of 40-49. 22% were 60-69, and 11% were 70 – 79 years of age.
Nine community members attended, 30% of the intended capacity.
Read the full report and lists of what needs action in our communities by clicking here.
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The Harborside Chat, held on March 9, 2024, at the North Beach Junior Senior High School and organized by The Dialogue Project of the Dispute Resolution Centers of Grays Harbor and Pacific County, facilitated discussions on vital local issues. This document reports the event’s outcomes, and the participants’ expressed interests and needs.
Highlights
Participants hailed from Ocean Shores (93.33%), with a single attendee from Hoquiam (6.67%)
The majority (80%) of attendees were over 60 years old. Thirteen percent were between 50-59. 7% of attendees were less than 49 years old.
73% of attendees responded to the demographic survey, 45% identified as female, 45% as male and 10% non-binary.
The ethnic composition was 80% White, 10% Black/African American, with 10% of respondents identifying as two or more mixed ethnicities.
Fifteen community members attended, 50% of the intended capacity.
Read the full report and lists of what needs action in our communities by clicking here.
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The Harborside Chat, held on April 13, 2024, at the Pearsall Building in Aberdeen and organized by The Dialogue Project of the Dispute Resolution Centers of Grays Harbor and Pacific County, facilitated discussions on vital local issues. This document reports the event’s outcomes, and the participants’ expressed interests and needs.
Highlights
Participants hailed from Aberdeen (78%) and Hoquiam (22%)
A diverse mix of ages was present with 44% of participants under 50 and 56% of participants 50+.
100% of attendees responded to the demographic survey, 66.7% identified as female, 33.3% as male and 0% non-binary.
The ethnic composition was 78% White, 11% Black/African American, and 11% Asian (not Indian or South Asian).
9 community members attended, 30% of the intended capacity.
Read the full report and lists of what needs action in our communities by clicking here.
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The Harborside Chat, held on May 4, 2024, at Summit Pacific and organized by The Dialogue Project of the Dispute Resolution Centers of Grays Harbor and Pacific County, facilitated discussions on vital local issues.
Highlights
Participants hailed from Elma (40%), Taholah (40%), and Aberdeen (20%).
A diverse mix of ages was present, leaning younger than past chats, with 40% of participants under 50 and 60% of participants 50-70.
80% of attendees responded to the demographic survey, 50% identified as female, 50% as male and 0% non-binary.
The racial/ethnic composition of those that responded to the demographics survey was 75% American Indian and 25% Latinx
5 community members attended, 16% of the intended capacity.
Read the full report and lists of what needs action in our communities by clicking here.
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La Charla en el Puerto, fue celebrada el 18 de mayo de 2024, en el edificio Pearsall de Aberdeen, WA. Ha sido organizada por el Proyecto de Diálogo del Centro de Resolución de Disputas de los Condados de Grays Harbor y Pacific con el fin de facilitar debates sobre cuestiones locales vitales. Este documento informa los resultados del evento y los intereses y necesidades expresados por los participantes.
Puntos destacados
Los participantes procedían de Aberdeen (79%), Hoquiam (14%) y Montesano (7%).
Estuvo presente una mezcla diversa de edades, siendo más jóvenes que en charlas anteriores, con un 64% de participantes menores de 40 años y un 36% de participantes entre 40 y 59 años.
El 100% de los asistentes respondieron a la encuesta demográfica, el 93% se identificó como femenino, el 7% como masculino.
La composición racial/étnica de quienes respondieron a la encuesta demográfica fue 78% Latinx, 14% “otro” con respecto a las opciones disponibles, y 7% se identificaron como dos o más razas o etnias.
Asistieron 14 personas, el 70% del cupo.
Lee el informe completo y las listas de lo que requiere acción en nuestras comunidades haciendo clic aquí.
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The Harborside Chat, to be held on June 8, 2024, at the Amanda Park Timberland Library and organized by The Dialogue Project of the Dispute Resolution Centers of Grays Harbor and Pacific County, intending to facilitate discussions on vital local issues.
0 participants attended.
To view the report, click here.
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The Harborside Chat, held on July 13, 2024, at Chapel by the Sea and organized by The Dialogue Project of the Dispute Resolution Centers of Grays Harbor and Pacific County, facilitated discussions on vital local issues. This document reports the event’s outcomes, and the participants’ expressed interests and needs.
Highlights
Taholah (43%), Aberdeen (14%), Ocean Shores (14%), and from other counties outside of Grays Harbor (29%).
Several age ranges were present, 28.5% of participants were ages 25-29, 14.5% of participants were 39-39, 28.5% of participants were 40-49, and 28.5% of participants were 70-79. In summary, 71.5% of participants were under 50 and 29.5% of participants were in the 70-79 age bracket.
100% of attendees responded to the demographic survey, 57% identified as female and 43% as male.
The racial/ethnic composition of those who responded to the demographics survey was 43% American Indian, 43% White, and 14% of respondents identify as two or more races.
7 community members attended, 23% of the intended capacity.
Read the full report and lists of what needs action in our communities by clicking here.
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The Teen Edition of the Harborside Chat: Teens Talk was held on July 24, 2024, at Game Freaks, a video game store in Elma, open to Grays Harbor teens ages 13-17 and organized by The Dialogue Project of the Dispute Resolution Centers of Grays Harbor and Pacific County, facilitated discussions on vital local issues. This document reports the event’s outcomes, and the participants’ expressed interests and needs.
Highlights
Participants hailed from Taholah (80%) and Elma (20%).
Participants ranged between ages 13-17, with 4 participants (80% between ages 16-24 and 1 participant aged 13-15 (20%).
100% of attendees responded to the demographic survey, 60% identified as male, 40% identified as female, and 0% non-binary.
The racial/ethnic composition of those that responded to the demographics survey was 60% identified as two or more races, all of whom indicated American Indian and one or more other races, 20% White, and 20% other race or ethnicity.
5 community members attended, 20% of the intended capacity.
Read the full report and lists of what needs action in our communities by clicking here.
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Over the course of 8 months, nine Harborside Chats were completed across diverse communities in Grays Harbor County. We had 81 participants across all sessions, with most attendees coming from Aberdeen. The Ocean Shores Chat drew the largest individual turnout. The majority of participants were in the 40–49 and 60–69 age ranges, and most identified as white. According to the most recent U.S. Census estimates, approximately 80.9% of Grays Harbor County residents identify as white (non-Hispanic)¹. While our group was still majority white, non-white participants were proportionally overrepresented compared to the county’s population. This may suggest that individuals not traditionally represented in local power structures felt more comfortable sharing in this format. Elements such as language-specific sessions, youth-focused spaces, and trusted community relationships likely contributed to this increased sense of openness. Read the full comprehensive report here.
About
The bread and butter of dispute resolution are to teach individuals and communities how to navigate conflict successfully – the precursor to civil discourse. We all experience conflict over a lifetime. Finding lasting and effective solutions to conflict bridges differences and builds stronger communities.
Dispute Resolution Center of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties is a non-profit organization that offers highly skilled, trauma informed, professional mediation and conflict resolution services to individuals and organizations of all income levels.
The Dialogue Project, and our DRC, work with the support and advice of experts in the conflict resolution sector, such as state and national conflict resolution experts, Resolution Washington. We continually forge partnerships with other groups focused on depolarization statewide and nationwide, including as part of the network at Braver Angels, a national non-profit dedicated to political depolarization.
For specific questions about the project, please contact dialogue@drcghp.org.
Our project creates local opportunities for individuals
to reconnect to listening and build skills around dialogue and conflict.
Dialogue is a necessary tool to navigate conflict we all experience in our lives. Yet community and interpersonal polarization and division has reached dire levels, leaving many challenged to connect, listen, and grow as individuals, families, and communities.
At the Harborside Chats, a series of guided dialogues in Grays Harbor County, members of the community will be invited to come talk and listen about what’s impacting them in their neighborhoods and lives. The Dialogue Project will train community members to facilitate community dialogue at the sessions.
Together, we can learn again to listen and collaborate to address problems over the long-term.
Why this project now?
Living alongside others who hold beliefs that are diametrically opposed to their own is essential to the health of a religiously, racially, and ethnically diverse democracy. Yet, the skills needed to protect this value are eroding.
In addition, distrust in institutions grows, making it difficult for organizations to engage skeptical communities.
We have observed seemingly increasingly acceptable levels of bias in our community including harassment, racist behavior, dehumanizing language, and both threatened and physical violence. Discourse has gone beyond disagreement and people increasingly don’t see ways to engage civically.
Without intervention, these harmful practices will become normalized, and the social fabric of our community weakens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Harborside Chats?
A: Harborside Chats are two-hour long, monthly community dialogue sessions taking place throughout Grays Harbor. These round table style chats are supported by dispute resolution specialists and trained community members. We've designed a unique blend of dialogue, networking, and learning. The people at the chat, with the help of facilitators, will decide what issues they would like to talk about with each other.
Q: What are the conversation topics?
A: The participants themselves at the Harborside Chats will decide what topics to discuss. We will help guide the Chat, creating an opportunity for healthy dialogue between community members about what issues they deem of importance to the community, however, we’re not proposing the topics.
Q: What can I expect to take place during a session?
A: Harborside Chats is a unique blend of dialogue, networking, and learning. We will start with a structured 1:1 conversation, developed by our partners at Braver Angels, a national cross partisan organization focused on depolarization. Our moderators will then facilitate a healthy dialogue between community members about what issues they deem of importance to the community.
Q: Why this project now?
A: Living alongside others who hold beliefs that are different to their own is a part of being a member of a smaller community like ours. Yet, the skills needed to protect this value are eroding. In our dispute resolution work, we have observed that talk has gone beyond disagreement and we hear that people increasingly don’t see ways to discuss issues in their community and lives. Our intention is to build bridges through healthy dialogue.
Q: Am I limited to attending the Harborside Chat taking place in the city I reside in?
A: Not at all! We would love to have you at any of the Chats that you can make it to! We will be posting the dates and times at https://www.drcghp.org/dialogue-project.
Q: How much does it cost to attend?
A: The sessions are free but spots are limited. Visit www.drcghp.org/dialogue-project to get your free tickets.
Q: Will the Harborside Chats be accessible?
A: We will be communicating the unique accessibility details of each venue as we publish the chats. Please get in touch with us to ensure a pleasant and accommodating experience.
A word from our Executive Director, Astrid Aveledo.
Inatai Foundation
We are in deep gratitude for the collaboration and foundational support of the Dialogue Project, by which we can create opportunities for keeping dialogue alive in our community.
We also thank our community-level supporters of the program:
Satterberg Foundation
Grays Harbor Community Foundation
We’re also grateful for community supporters through in-kind donations:
Robert Wyman Mullins and Ardell Garrick