RICHMOND HILL, GA – February 23, 2018 – Yesterday, The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire Executive Director Jill Cheeks spoke with members of the Rotary Club of Richmond Hill at their weekly lunch meeting at the Richmond Hill City Center.

During this presentation, Cheeks shared details about the nonprofit organization such as its mission, the programs offered, training processes, and volunteer opportunities as well as background regarding her professional experience both with The Mediation Center and outside of the organization.

“I’m grateful to the Rotary Club of Richmond Hill for having me and for being so warm and welcoming,” said Cheeks. “I enjoyed the opportunity to discuss The Mediation Center, which I hold near-and-dear to my heart, with these community members.”

The Mediation Center is staffed with a team of experienced mediators, including some from Richmond Hill, who are trained to help residents in Bryan, Chatham, and surrounding counties resolving legal disputes without turning to litigation. The organization’s resources include a family law resource center, workplace training, peer mediation, restorative alliance, and Children of Peaceful Engagement.

During the question-and-answer session following Cheek’s presentation, Rotary members were very interested in learning more about  various aspects of the organization as well as information regarding volunteering with The Mediation Center. Rotarians contribute their time, energy and passion to sustainable, long-term projects in local communities across the globe.

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).

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).

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).

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).

SAVANNAH, GA – December 19, 2017 – The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire will host its inaugural “Velvet Gala” from 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18 at Cohen’s Retreat, 5715 Skidaway Road.

The “Velvet Gala” will feature live entertainment by Ricardo Ochoa & His Gypsy Jazz Quartet, drinks, appetizers, and a raffle fundraiser. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Mediation Center’s Peer Mediation, Community Conferencing and Children of Peaceful Engagement (COPE) youth programs.

Peer Mediation is a confidential process for resolving conflicts. Participants have the opportunity to talk through their disputes with the help of trained student mediators. Peer mediators do no take sides or place blame on anyone. They listen to all participants and help the participants to develop their own solution to the conflict.

The COPE program teaches children who are going through stressful situations how to better cope with their anger and other emotions and manage their response using proven engagement strategies that focus on understanding and emotional learning. Typically, attendees are early school-age children and participation consists of two onehour lessons, which take place during a one-week period.

“We are really looking forward to kicking off 2018 with this fun networking event,” said Mediation Center Executive Director Jill Cheeks. “The ‘Velvet Gala’ will be an enjoyable, upbeat evening with fantastic music and delicious food. We are grateful for the community’s support and look forward to continuing to grow our youth programs with the funds raised from the party.”

Ricardo Ochoa was accepted into the Venezuela Philharmonic at just 15 years old, making him the youngest musician to ever enter the orchestra. In 2015, he was voted The Best of Savannah’s “Best All-Around Musician.” Now, Ochoa can be found in the Savannah community playing with his band, Velvet Caravan, or onstage with the Savannah Philharmonic as principle second violin.

The Mediation Center’s team of experienced mediators are trained to help residents in Chatham and surrounding counties, including Bryan, Effingham, Liberty, Tattnall and Bulloch. 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. Tickets cost $45 each and can be purchased by visiting  www.velvetgala.eventbrite.com.

For more information about this event or the Mediation Center, please visit www.mediationsavannah.com, call 912-354-6686 or email
info@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).