SAVANNAH, Ga. (June 28, 2023)- The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire is honored to partner with Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Disaster Faith Network and present: De-Escalation Techniques and Strategies for Houses of Worship, the latest training session in our Coastal Georgia Preventing Identity Violence initiative. This session will take place on July 11th, 2023 from 9 AM-12 PM and will be held at Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship Church (425 W Montgomery Crossroads, Savannah Georgia). This event is free and in-person, but RSVPs are required. (RSVP Here: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ejsd4e7z1a1d9703&oseq=&c=&ch= )

This training, led by Senior Manager of Community Programs, Dan Rowe, and CEMA’s Emergency Preparedness Manager, Chelsea Sawyer, will focus on implementing de-escalation techniques in faith-based organizations. The training will also cover safety planning, trauma-informed dialogue, and identifying individuals at risk of volatile escalation. The Mediation Center and CEMA will also provide a brief overview of their services so that both organizations can continue supporting Chatham County’s faith community.

 

“As conflict professionals, we can teach the community the skills and perspectives needed to change the outcomes of dangerous and unstable interactions with the potential for violence. The Mediation Center hopes to decrease violent incidents by increasing the number of people trained to de-escalate conflict,” stated Dan Rowe.

 

Coastal Georgia Preventing Identity Violence is The Mediation Center’s first federally funded initiative. Providing training sessions is the first step in building awareness of the risk factors, skills for engaging with individuals facing these risk factors, and prevention measures for identity-based violence.

The initiative aims to train and convene local faith leaders, nonprofit organizations, community and behavioral healthcare organizations, schools, major employers, and law enforcement partners. Participation is imperative, to be successful, a member of each entity previously mentioned should attend a training session. Help us spread the word by sharing information about this training and initiative with your networks. Together we can create a local prevention network. To register for the training session or to have the content applied to your industry, please email Dan Rowe at drowe@mediationsavannah.com.

 

*This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, opportunity number DHS-21-TTP-132-00-01. Additionally,  the US Department of Homeland Security has provided guidance, resources, and a network of partnerships to bring The Mediation Center up to fluency in the realm of Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (formerly considered Countering Violent Extremism). 

 

ABOUT THE MEDIATION CENTER OF THE COASTAL EMPIRE:

Founded in 1986, The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the greater Savannah community. The organization’s mission is to harness the power of qualified volunteers, facilitate the process of citizens proactively managing conflict, provide alternatives to litigation and increase access to justice. With help from volunteers, donations, and grant funding to maintain and build on the programs that have been developed over the years, The Mediation Center supports people from all walks of life who are trying to resolve their disagreements and repair harm through conflict-resolution methods.

 

To learn more, register for Mediation Matters or other trainings here:  https://mediationsavannah.com/training/     

 

SAVANNAH, Ga. (April 20, 2023)– The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire is honored to host the latest training session in their Coastal Georgia Preventing Identity Violence initiative. This session will take place on April 28, 2023 from 9 AM-3 PM and will be held at Southwest Chatham Library (14097 Abercorn St.) This event is free, but RSVPs are required. In-person attendance is recommended, but virtual attendance will be accommodated.

 

This training, led by Senior Manager of Community Programs Dan Rowe, will focus on helping professionals in Housing and Community Care learn more about the art of de-escalation, so that they may better serve their tenants and clients. This specific training will emphasize safety and community resiliency, meaning that special attention will be paid to the community’s physical and emotional well being to ensure that community members can practice the aforementioned techniques with the greatest possible longevity.

 

“As conflict professionals, we have the capacity to equip the frontline of Housing and Community care with skills and perspective to redirect volatile and dangerous interactions with violent potential. Being unhoused is a dynamic circumstance composed of several risk factors for committing violent acts, even acts of mass violence. The Mediation Center hopes to prevent these tragedies by changing the trajectory of individual interactions,” stated Dan Rowe.

 

Coastal Georgia Preventing Identity Violence is The Mediation Center’s  first federally funded initiative. Providing train-the-trainer sessions is the first step in building awareness of the risk factors and prevention measures for identity-based violence.  

The initiative’s main goal  is to train and convene local University CARE teams, faith leaders, nonprofit organizations, community and behavioral healthcare organizations, schools, major employers, and law enforcement partners. Participation is imperative, to be successful, a member of each entity previously mentioned should attend a train-the-trainer session. Help us spread the word by sharing information about this training and initiative with your networks. Together we can create a local prevention network.

To register for the training session or to have the content applied to your industry, please email Dan Rowe at drowe@mediationsavannah.com.

SAVANNAH, Ga. (Apr. 18, 2023) – The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire, Inc. is delighted to host their annual Youth Programs Recognition & Awards Celebration on Wednesday, April 19th from 6 to 8 pm at Woodville Tompkins High School.  This event serves to recognize student peer mediators and youth court volunteers who make a tremendous impact both in the community and in school as role models helping peers navigate conflict, facilitate differences peacefully, and develop conversation skills.  Charlton Bradford “Brad” Jefferson, Restorative Youth Court Volunteer and Vice President of administration for The 100 Black Men of Savannah is the keynote speaker.

All recognized students in attendance will receive a “Youth Peacemakers” medallion and other awardees will be honored for their exemplary successes in the program.

The Mediation Center’s Peer Mediation Program is a peer-led confidential process for resolving conflicts. Students have the opportunity to talk through difficult situations with the help of trained student mediators.  Peer Mediators do not take sides and keep all information confidential.  This process nurtures empathy and empowers students to develop their own solutions.  The Peer Mediation Program has trained over 2500 students since its inception.  These students receive twelve hours of intense training which prepares them to mediate conflict among their classmates.  Sixty-two percent of incidents occur in the classroom, taking away valuable instruction time.  School Coordinators support Peer Mediators through the process resulting in over 90% of students reaching an agreement and 95% of the agreements remaining effective one-month post mediation.

Over 75 students trained to volunteer in Restorative Youth Court during the 2022-2023 school year.  Restorative Youth Court is a youth-led diversionary program for students who have repeatedly broken school code of conduct rules. Instead of receiving the traditional discipline of the schools, the youth will appear at a disposition hearing administered by trained youth volunteers. These trained volunteers will collaboratively decide the disposition of the student respondent in the form of community service hours, written apologies, and/or an essay. The benefits of the program include reduced recidivism, youth leadership, rapid response, positive peer pressure, and cost-effectiveness. Youth respond better to this positive peer pressure than to sanctions from adults. We have seen how youth court reduces recidivism, involves more youth in addressing the issues facing our community, and allows us to develop future leaders

“We are proud to recognize the students that have said yes and committed to making their school a peaceful place to learn.  These students commit to two-full days of intensive training in effective communication, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills and it is vital we celebrate their success and award their efforts.”  Mediation Center Restorative Youth Practices & Community Outreach Director, Sherlisa Praylo.

Chatham County, GA (January 4, 2023) – In continuation of the Mediation Center’s peacebuilding initiative throughout Savannah, we are proud to celebrate National Day of Racial Healing on January 17, 2023. National Day of Racial Healing, traditionally celebrated the day after the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday, is a day not only to further reflect on the legacy of King but to move forward with his work in initiating discussion, building trust, and building community. We ask the citizens of Savannah to join us in celebrating this day by taking part in our “Courageous Conversation on Rectifying Racial Harms.” This facilitated discussion will take place in-person at the Tompkins Regionals Community Center at 2333 Ogeechee Road and virtually via our company page, https://www.facebook.com/mediationcentersavannah, on Facebook Live from 5:00 pm- 7:30 pm.  

Chatham County, GA (December 16, 2022) – Through the J. W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, a Public Service and Outreach unit at the University of Georgia, the Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire and the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System received training and technical assistance to start a Youth Court in Chatham County. The pilot program kicked off in October with four high schools.

Youth court is a youth-led diversionary program for youth who have repeatedly broken school code of conduct rules. Instead of receiving the traditional discipline of the schools, the youth will appear at a disposition hearing administered by trained youth volunteers. Benefits of the program include reduced recidivism, youth leadership, rapid response, positive peer pressure, and cost-effectiveness.

“Youth seem to respond to this positive peer pressure better than sanctions from adults. We hope youth court reduces recidivism, involves more youth in addressing the issues facing our community, and allows us to develop future leaders,” Sherlisa Praylo, Director of Restorative Conferencing and Community Outreach at the Mediation Center. “Youth Court has been a valuable addition to our district. The program equips students with the skills to help their peers accept responsibility for their actions in a constructive manner. Youth Court harnesses the power of positive peer influence. Students engage in restorative practices that teach lifelong lessons. We are looking forward to the continued growth and impact of Youth Court,” Julian Childers III, Associate Superintendent, Secondary Schools, Savannah Chatham County Public Schools.

Restorative Youth Court allows you to hear from other youth regarding their behaviors and why those behaviors do not meet the standards of the school community. When asked why he wanted Youth Court created, high school youth volunteer Mark Smith stated, “Starting youth court will be a great opportunity to keep youth members of the community from receiving the school’s standard disciplinary system, which will strike against a student’s record. It provides a second chance without tanking one’s record and reputation in the school system. It also provides those that participate a brief knowledge of the law system and experience on how it works.”

Restorative Youth Court plans to grow in 2023 with enhancements to the program and the recruitment of more volunteers. The Mediation Center will hold a training session for adult volunteers on January 25-26, 2023. For more information, mediationsavannah.com/youth-court/