HISTORY OF THE CENTER

The Community Mediation Center of Stark County officially opened its doors in May 2001. The purpose was to mediate conflicts, teach alternative dispute resolution techniques, and to educate the public in order to prevent harmful physical, emotional, and economic effects of unresolved conflict between individuals, families, neighborhoods, and organizations in Stark County.

The first five months were devoted to developing the administrative and operational aspect of the Center. Administrative start-up work included developing a strategic plan, budget, policies, procedures, forms, a case management system, and methods for evaluation. The mission, purpose, and goals were also established. The strategic plan included marketing, publicity, outreach and education; a plan for collaborative community relationships; and an outline for developing referrals. A logo was developed with the assistance of Kent State Stark Commercial Art students. Publicity materials were created and then printed with the assistance of Stark County Educational Service Center. A training program was developed for volunteers and in September 2001, the first training was conducted for 27 volunteers. The Center began to accept referrals that September.

Organizations began asking for conflict management training. Therefore a workshop fee structure for not-for-profit organizations was developed as well as curriculum and materials. Building on partnerships that were already established, the Center began serving as a consultant for the Family Court School Truancy Mediation Program. The Center trained truancy mediators and provided support for quality control. With an increase in the workload, two office support volunteers were recruited. One volunteer worked with the accounting and one with case management data.

Outreach attempts to conduct mediations in the Massillon and Alliance areas also had positive results. Alliance designated the Neighborhood Center and Massillon a Community Police office as their sites for mediation.

The Center continued to grow in response to the organization's hard work, outreach, and vision for a more peaceful community. The Center welcomed a support specialist to the staff and the board continued to actively assist in monitoring and developing the growth of the organization. The Center had began to collect modest fees for service and training, as well as establishing contracts for service. Funders continued to be generous and partnerships expanded.

Currently at the close of 2007, the Mediation Center has three full time staff, one part time position and over 20 Mediation Associates and Volunteers. Our case load has increased 25% annually for the last four years. Our intervention has resulted in a positive outcome for hundreds of participants.