By Jill Cheeks
Mediation Center Executive Director

We recently had the opportunity to honor youth in our community who are working to make a difference in their schools each day. On the evening of Wednesday, April 25 at Woodville Tompkins Technical & Career High School, over 300 peer mediators, Mediation Center staff  members and volunteers came together with the friends and family of these youths to honor their diligent efforts. These students truly make a tremendous impact both in the community and as role models in their schools by helping their peers navigate conflict, develop conversation skills, and facilitate differences peacefully. It was truly a remarkable evening.

We were honored to have WSAV news anchor Kim Gusby serve as the emcee for the evening, and Savannah-Chatham County Public School System Superintendent Dr. Ann Levett graciously gave the keynote address. Our Director of Youth Programs Crystal Commodore, who we’re very fortunate to have on staff leading the Peer Mediation program, also addressed the audience.

It is so important to our organization that these peer mediators, who are committed to making their school a peaceful place to learn, are recognized. These students go through intensive training in communication, problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills before becoming peer mediators and it’s vital that we acknowledge their hard work and accomplishments.

Our Peer Mediation Program has trained students in over 35 schools and the training is open to children from second to 12th grade. Studies have shown that 62 percent of school-related behavioral incidents and conflicts occur in the classroom, taking away from valuable instruction time. We have been privileged to work with school coordinators who have supported these Peer Mediators as they
mediated over 300 disputes during the 2016-2017 school year, with a staggering 97 percent resulting in students reaching an agreement, and 92 percent of agreements remaining effective one-month post mediation.

It was enlightening to watch these students beaming with pride as they were called onto the stage during the awards ceremony and thanked for their hard work. Our peer mediators are truly going above and beyond to ensure a peaceful learning environment for their fellow students and the community.

By Jill Cheeks
Mediation Center Executive Director

Springtime can be tough for many office staffers and team members to handle. Summer vacations are still too far away and the holiday breaks are well behind us. Workers may be contending with stir-crazy kids who had a taste of spring break freedom and are now eyeing the end of school. Tax returns are due. Most folks aren’t in stellar moods and tensions can run high.

But when discord strikes among your staff, the Mediation Center is here to help with a program that a lot of people aren’t aware they can take advantage of. Our Workplace Training Program focuses on managing conflict and building consensus among employees. We can help to neutralize colleagues in conflict and simplify tense and stressful situations in the workplace. This course is designed to deal with negative attitudes and other sources of workplace conflict in a positive, healthy, productive manner.

The course focuses on defusing “hot button” situations, calming explosive personalities and exercising damage control while encouraging participants to keep their own confidence and composure during the process. Our instructors equip attendees with strategies for managing conflicts, building consensus and understanding others more effectively. To get to the root of conflicts and defuse them before they escalate, we must generate multiple mutually-constructive solutions and strategies.

Other professional services offered by the Mediation Center include usage of our experienced mediators to facilitate retreats, meetings and planning sessions as well as conducting mediations among conflicting employees to reach an agreement. We’ll also assist with defining decision-making strategies and assessing root causes of conflict in your workplace.

I personally visit a wide range of workplaces and offices who choose to work with the Mediation Center for these services and teach courses on-site to the participating attendees. I’ve found these programs useful in a number of scenarios, such as helping employees put difficult situations in perspective. Furthermore, when it comes to facilitating group workshops, board retreats, planning sessions or forums, our trained mediators’ experience in bringing about harmonious resolutions allows them to keep groups on track, maintaining order and streamlining discussions to achieve goals. When professionals come to us seeking assistance, we help them objectively examine matters from both sides of the equation – and that’s never a wasted life skill, whatever the future might bring!

If you’re interested in utilizing any of these professional services, please call or email me today at 912-354-6686 or jcheeks@mediationsavannah.com.

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!

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.