Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Kelley.
Ashley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey to starting Groundwork Mediation Solutions really began through my work serving families in Allegheny County. Before becoming a business owner, I worked as a County Caseworker with the local child protective service agency and later in family support and aftercare roles. During that time, I had the opportunity to work closely with parents and children navigating some of the most difficult moments in their lives.
One thing I noticed repeatedly was what happened after cases closed. Families were often left trying to navigate custody arrangements, visitation schedules, communication challenges, and co-parenting conflicts on their own. Even when court orders were in place to maintain visitation and custody agreements, many families struggled to follow through consistently once agency involvement ended.
What stood out to me the most were the conversations I would have with fathers who felt disconnected from their children’s lives. Many would reach out expressing concerns about not being able to see their children regularly, missing important milestones and school or extracurricular events, and feeling excluded from major parenting decisions. I realized there was a significant gap between court involvement ending and families having the tools and support needed to maintain healthy co-parenting relationships moving forward.
That experience inspired me to create Groundwork Mediation Solutions. I wanted to build a service that helps families establish stronger communication, healthier conflict resolution practices, and sustainable parenting plans outside of the courtroom. My goal is to provide families with support that is compassionate, practical, and centered on the well-being of children while also ensuring that both parents feel heard and involved.
Today, Groundwork Mediation Solutions offers family mediation, co-parenting support, visitation scheduling assistance, restorative justice services, and community-based conflict resolution programming. The work is deeply personal to me because it was born directly from seeing the real-life needs of families in our community and wanting to create solutions that help them move forward in healthier ways.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road and journey. Some of the challenges include balancing full timework with launching the business, acquiring clientele, and competing with similarly designed programming for families enduring conflicting matters.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Groundwork Mediation Solutions, LLC is a conflict resolution and family support practice dedicated to helping individuals, families, and communities navigate life’s most difficult conversations with dignity, respect, and practical solutions. Through professional mediation, restorative practices, conflict coaching, and educational programming, we provide a safe, neutral environment where people can resolve disputes, strengthen communication, and build healthier relationships.
Our services include family and co-parenting mediation, parenting plan development, visitation scheduling, young adult and parent conflict resolution, restorative justice practices, workplace and community mediation, conflict resolution workshops, and customized training for organizations, schools, and community groups. We also connect clients with trusted community resources when additional support is needed, recognizing that lasting conflict resolution often requires a holistic approach.
At Groundwork Mediation Solutions, our mission is to empower individuals and families to move beyond conflict by fostering understanding, accountability, collaboration, and sustainable solutions. We believe that every conflict presents an opportunity for growth, healing, and transformation when people are given the right tools and support.
Our vision is to create stronger families, healthier communities, and more equitable systems where conflict is viewed not as a barrier, but as a foundation for meaningful change. We strive to make professional conflict resolution accessible, culturally responsive, and relationship-centered, ensuring that every client feels heard, respected, and equipped to move forward with confidence. Through prevention, education, and mediation, we are committed to laying the groundwork for lasting peace—one conversation, one family, and one community at a time.
Pricing:
- Most of our services are based on hourly rates.
- We do offer sliding scale payment options are available for eligible families and individuals.
- Products and materials are available for purchase.
- Some pro-bono services are
- Some services such as special training opportunities may be available free of charge.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://groundworkmediation.my.canva.site/
