The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire

A 501c 3 Non-Profit Organization

Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire Presents Awards, Celebrates Successful Velvet Gala

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SAVANNAH, GA – February 12, 2018 – The Mediation Center of the Costal Empire recently hosted its inaugural “Velvet Gala” at Cohen’s Retreat.

Over 150 guests sampled appetizers and beverages – including the signature “Red Velvet Cake Martini” – while enjoying live music by Ricardo Ochoa & His Gypsy Jazz quartet. Kurt Hetager, emcee for the festivities, kept attendees entertained with lively banter and facilitated the raffle prize drawings. Proceeds raised from this event will benefit the Mediation Center’s Peer Mediation, Community Conferencing and Children of Peaceful Engagement youth programs.

During the gala, Mediation Center Executive Director Jill Cheeks recognized the following individuals with Volunteer Appreciation Awards for over 20 years of service: Betty A. Simmons, Howard Welt, Jerry P. Nusloch, Lee G. Hooper, Mark S. Cluett, Robert E. Nuemann and Robert Gordon.

“We had an absolute blast raising funds for important programs with our supporters at this event. It was also very special to recognize the volunteers and individuals who have helped our organization reach this point,” Cheeks said. “Our volunteers log a total of over 5,000 hours each year helping coastal citizens reach agreements and mediate over 900 cases per year, and it’s important that they be recognized.”

In addition, Cheeks also presented the following well-deserving individuals with various awards including:

  • Anne Shafer, Lifetime Achievement Award – 500 cases mediated
  • Bob Neumann, Lifetime Achievement Award – 600 cases mediated
  • David Purvis, Domestic Attorney Appreciation Award
  • James E. Kurhajian, Civil Attorney Appreciation Award
  • Larry Kopczak, Mediator Appreciation Award – over 100 cases mediated in 2017
  • Paul Johnson, Appreciation for Years of Board Service (2011-2017)
  • Savannah Chatham County Public School System, Youth Collaboration Award
  • SEIMITSU, Business Partner of the Year
  • Sherman Miller, Lifetime Achievement Award – 400 cases mediated
  • Susannah Pedigo, Stellar Advocate for Youth

The Mediation Center’s team of experienced mediators are trained to help residents in Chatham and surrounding counties. The organization’s reputation is built on over 30 years of integrity and expertise, with a high success rate in resolving thousands of disputes. The Mediation Center is proud to offer the highest quality mediation services to help people resolve disputes through resolution as an alternative to litigation.

The Children of Peaceful Engagement program, which will benefit from the funds raised from the Velvet Gala, teaches children who are going through stressful situations how to cope with their anger and other emotions. They’re taught to manage their responses using proven engagement strategies that focus on understanding and emotional learning.

Additional youth programs offered by this organization, set to benefit from this event, include Peer Mediation training and peer-to-peer mediations in schools, Community Conferencing collaboration with Juvenile Court, juvenile mediations, and parent/child mediations.

For more information about the Mediation Center or the programs offered, please visit mediationsavannah.com.

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For media inquiries, please contact Hollie Barnidge at hollie@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-272-8651 or Lesley Francis at lesley@francis.com at 912-429-3950 or the team at 912-417-LFPR (5377).

Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire Executive Director to Present at Rotary Club of Richmond Hill Feb. 22

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RICHMOND HILL, GA – February 6, 2018 – Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire Executive Director Jill Cheeks will present to members of the Rotary Club of Richmond Hill at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018 at the Richmond Hill City Center, 520 Cedar Street, JF
Gregory Park.

Cheeks’ presentation will provide background information on the Mediation Center, which is staffed with a team of experienced mediators who are trained to help residents in Chatham, Bryan, Effingham, Liberty, Tattnall and Bulloch counties resolve legal disputes without turning to litigation.The organization’s reputation is built on over 30 years of integrity and expertise, with a high success rate in resolving thousands of conflicts through resolution.

Cheeks has spoken and given presentations at various civic organizations and educational institutions around the Coastal Empire, including Armstrong State University. She also provides workplace conflict resolution and facilitation services through the Mediation Center and has worked in partnership with many local businesses. Cheeks is eager to share the Mediation Center’s mission with Richmond Hill Rotarians.

“I’m thankful for this opportunity to bring awareness to the Richmond Hill Rotary Club regarding what our organization does and how forming viable partnerships and collaborations is just as important as the mediation services the center provides,” said Cheeks. “I’m looking forward to gaining additional support to help keep us moving in a positive direction.”

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who come together to make positive, lasting change in communities at home and abroad. Rotarians contribute their time, energy and passion to sustainable, long-term projects in local communities across the globe. Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders who dedicate their time and talent to tackle the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Their work impacts lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. The Rotary Club of Richmond hill meets at 12:30 p.m. every Thursday at the Richmond Hill City Center.

For more information about this event or the Mediation Center, please visit mediationsavannah.com, call 912-354-6686 or
email info@mediationsavannah.com. To learn more about the Rotary Club Richmond Hill, please visit rotaryofrichmondhill.org.

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For media inquiries, please contact Hollie Barnidge at hollie@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-272-8651 or Lesley Francis at lesley@francis.com at 912-429-3950 or the team at 912-417-LFPR(5377).

Thanks, Savannah, for Supporting the Supporters!

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By Jill Cheeks
Mediation Center Executive Director

At the Mediation Center, we’re well-versed in supporting others. We support children in the community through our three youth programs and our partnership with the Chatham County Juvenile Court System. We support families who are encountering difficulties through the Family Law Resource Center. We support people from all walks of life who are trying to resolve their conflicts as easily and painlessly as possible through mediation (rather than taking the issue to court). We support troubled individuals who have committed minor infractions but are eager to amend their ways and make up for the issues they’ve caused.

We have worked tirelessly to serve this community for over 30 years, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We’re proud of our service and thrilled so many area residents have taken advantage of our programs over the years. What we do matters and we’re so eager to continue providing these valuable programs.

However, for one evening in January, we enjoyed a few hours of red carpet treatment. During our inaugural Velvet Gala on Jan. 18, the community turned out in droves to support the Mediation Center, and it was positively moving. All proceeds from the gala, which was held at the marvelous Cohen’s Retreat, will benefit our youth programs. About 150 guests attended, making clear their support for the Mediation Center and the children we are committed to serving in our community.

This “role reversal” was impressive on so many levels. Not only were ticket sales and attendance strong, area businesses and community leaders also offered their support through generous sponsorship, raffle prize donations, discounted products and services, volunteerism, and various other in-kind offerings.

The Velvet Gala truly was a prime example of the community coming together to support a worthy charitable effort. We’re flattered that so many people were there for us when we needed it. Perhaps there is some truth to that old adage, “You get out of it what you put into it.” In any case, we’re very grateful to the folks who helped ensure the astounding success of our event. Now that the bar has been set high, we can’t wait to start planning next year’s Velvet Gala – we intend to outdo ourselves!

Mediation Center Executive Director Jill Cheeks to Speak to Rotary of East Savannah

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SAVANNAH, GA – January 4, 2018 – Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire Executive Director Jill Cheeks will present to members of the Rotary Club of East Savannah at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26 2018 at the Pirates House, 20 E. Broad St., Savannah.

Cheeks’ presentation will provide background information on the Mediation Center, which is staffed with a team of experienced mediators who are trained to help residents in Chatham, Bryan, Effingham, Liberty, Tattnall and Bulloch counties resolve legal disputes without turning to litigation. The organization’s reputation is built on over 30 years of integrity and expertise, with a high success rate in resolving thousands of conflicts through resolution.

Cheeks has spoken and given presentations at various civic organizations and educational institutions around the Coastal Empire, including Armstrong State University. She also provides workplace conflict resolution and facilitation services through the Mediation Center and has worked in partnership with many local businesses. Cheeks is eager to share the Mediation Center’s mission with Savannah Rotarians.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to speak with some of the area’s most noteworthy leaders and community pillars. Creating awareness for what we do and forming viable partnerships and collaborations is as essential as the mediation services the center provides, and I’m looking
forward to this chance to garner additional support and keep us moving in a positive direction,” Cheeks said.

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who come together to make positive, lasting change in communities at home and abroad. Chartered on November 7, 1983, the Rotary Club of Savannah East has been practicing the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” in southeast Georgia and around the world for more than three decades. Members meet every Fridays at 12:30 p.m. at the Pirates’ House.

For more information about this event or the Mediation Center, please visit mediationsavannah.com, call 912-354-6686 or email info@mediationsavannah.com. To learn more about the Rotary Club East Savannah, please visit rotaryclubofsavannaheast.com.

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For media inquiries, please contact Hollie Barnidge at hollie@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-272-8651 or Lesley Francis at lesley@francis.com at 912-429-3950 or the team at 912-417-LFPR(5377).

Looking Back on the Year

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By Jill Cheeks
Mediation Center Executive Director

As I look back on my first full year as executive director of the Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire, I’m taking note of how much there is to be thankful for and to anticipate in the future. Some of the highlights include new imagery and a new website, which better reflect our mission as we work to cut the emotional and financial costs of disputes for thousands of people throughout the region. It is exciting to lead our nonprofit organization as we complete our 31st year of service to our community.

The observation of Conflict Resolution Month throughout October was particularly meaningful as we joined the nation in celebrating conflict resolution through a series of special initiatives culminating in an Oct. 17 event during the American Bar Association’s Mediation Week.

Working with young people in our community has been and will continue to be an important part of our work, and I was thrilled to announce our collaboration with the Chatham County Juvenile Court to provide Community Conferencing: a meaningful community-based response to juvenile crime that empowers the community of people affected by the incident. Our program, led by Mediation Center Youth Programs Director Crystal Commodore, provide conference facilitators trained to lead challenging and productive conversations.

We have been investing heavily in youth programs and continue to work directly with the Juvenile Court and Savannah Chatham County Public Schools. Our Peer Mediation program trains students to become peer mediators, equipping them with skills to help others manage conflict and hold discussions that facilitate understanding without violence. Sadly, it has become essential in our community to help youth find alternate ways to deal with emotions and issues, rather than resorting to physical confrontations.

Last year, the Mediation Center trained students in 34 schools in Chatham County and these students mediated 325 peer conflicts; we aim to exceed these numbers in 2018. Looking to the new year, we will continue to expand our Children of Peaceful Engagement (COPE) program, which is already available to residents and clients at Park Place Outreach and Greenbriar Children’s Center.

In 2017 our family law and mediation staff supported 5,600 citizens of the coastal region in navigating domestic challenges and keeping families out of adversarial court situations.

I am very much looking forward to our inaugural velvet gala on Jan. 18 at Cohen’s Retreat on Savannah’s Skidaway Road. This fundraising event, which benefits our youth programs, will feature drinks, appetizers, a raffle, and entertainment by Ricardo Ochoa & his Gypsy Jazz Quartet. Hope to see you there.

 

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5105 Paulsen Street
Suite 125D
Savannah, GA 31405

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