Dear CCR Community:

I hope everyone is having an enjoyable summer!

We at CCR have been busy on a number of fronts, including:

• Carrying out an equity audit of our Mediator Mentorship Program (MMP). This program is one of the primary ways CCR recruits and trains volunteer mediators, and ensuring that we are addressing barriers to participation in the program is vitally important.
• Welcoming new staff and Board members (you can find more information below)!
• Setting strategic plan priorities for the fiscal year (see our strategic plan HERE).
• Training members of the Los Angeles Fire Department in our conflict management and Train the Trainer programs.
• Continuing our work in partnership with the City of Chicago and COPA in our Community-Police Mediation pilot program (see an update in this issue).

Thank you for being a part of the CCR community!

Best,

Cassie

Call for Applications: Youth Workshop Facilitators

In collaboration with Communities in Schools Chicago and Chicago Public Schools, CCR is offering a series of one-hour workshops on interest-based negotiation (needs and interests) to middle- and high-school students throughout the city. The Training Team is looking to partner with other members of our CCR community to co-facilitate workshops these workshops. 

You would be a great fit for this position if you have: 

• mediation experience with CCR
• prior experience working with youth in school settings
• ability to travel to schools throughout the City of Chicago for on-site workshops
• comfort using Microsoft PowerPoint to present
• willingness to participate in a Train the Trainer meeting with CCR staff (date TBD based on Facilitator availability)
• commitment to facilitating at least one workshop during the 2023-2024 academic year

If this applies to you, please complete this application today! Applications are due by Friday, August 18th. 

CCR is able to reimburse mileage costs for travel to sites alongside a small stipend for each workshop. If you have any questions or would like to speak with a staff member to connect further, please reach out to Jenna Silver, Training Director, at jsilver@ccrchicago.org.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Auxiliary Board member, Tynisha Singletary (née Jointer) on her marriage to Rashad Singletary!

The Volunteer Development department wishes to highlight the contributions of Jonah Orlofsky to the Core Values of CCR, particularly his Collaborative Spirit and Commitment to Serving the Community. Jonah has been such a help behind the scenes in developing and presenting continuing education events, mentoring new volunteers, and mediating cases. While these efforts aren’t always in full view of our community at large, the generosity of time and energy that Jonah has given are at the heart of what makes CCR a special place to work and volunteer. We are beyond grateful and honor you for your service!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to volunteer mediator, Matthew Carroll, and Katie Bieber, married May 26, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.

Have you seen a member of the CCR Community doing a great job demonstrating one of our Core Values? Nominate them to be featured in Caucus!

Do you have general thoughts/comments/ideas related to our Core Values initiative? Let us know! 

Share your thoughts HERE.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Volunteer Council member Colette Marie Davion-Douglas and Wadsworth Clarke Douglas, married on July 25, 2023.

Community Police Mediation

CCR is proud to share the results of the first phase of the Community Police Mediation Pilot Program. Phase one of the pilot ran from October 2022 through March 2023, and the pilot has been extended through the end of 2023. CCR receives referrals to the program in partnership with the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), and more information about the program can be found HERE.

Welcome New Staff!

Olga Ivari, JD, joined CCR's staff as a Programs Manager for the Early Resolution Program in 2023. Prior to her work at CCR, Olga worked at Resolution Systems Institute as Program Coordinator, working with Lake County on a Foreclosure Mediation Program and in Winnebago and Kankakee Counties on an Eviction Mediation Program. She earned her BA from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and her JD from Marquette Law School where she was closely involved with the Client Skills Board and the Small Claims Mediation Programs.

Katey Baker-Smith is the Administrative Assistant at CCR. She earned her M.A. in Social Justice and Human Rights and B.A. in Spanish and Political Science. She previously worked as the Operations Manager at a non-profit mental health center, and has worked at various non-profit organizations, most often as a researcher and writer. Her work includes detailed reports on peasant farming and land grabbing in Romania that have been utilized by international groups including the UN FAO, and producing research and reports on the Middle East and North Africa that have been published in books, textbooks, and articles.

Tishonda Washington-Gibbs, M.A. joined CCR in 2023 as a Programs Manager for the Early Resolution

Program. Prior to joining CCR Tishonda worked at Resolution Systems Institute in Foreclosure Mediation. Tishonda has a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago and a M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Lewis University.

Welcome

New Board Members!

Elizabeth Duquette is a Lecturer in Law at University of Chicago and teaches Advanced Legal Writing as well as Writing and Research in the US Legal System. Click HERE for a more in-depth bio.

Kelli Garcia is a Vice President in the Wealth Planning Advisory Services group at Northern Trust. Click HERE for a more in-depth bio.

Jaran Moten is a litigation partner in Kirkland’s Chicago office whose practice includes a wide range of complex commercial disputes. Click HERE for a more in-depth bio.

Heidi Steiner is Senior Counsel at Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC. Click HERE for a more in-depth bio.

Alex Weinstein is a Shareholder at Vedder Price and a member of the firm’s Labor and Employment practice group in the Chicago office. Click HERE for a more in-depth bio.

Ways to Give!!

We are excited to share that there are now more ways to support CCR! Visit the CCR website HERE to find information about making donations via:

• Qualified Charitable Distributions
• Donor Advised Funds
• Matching Gifts
• Beneficiary Designations
• Bequests through Wills or Revocable (Living) Trusts

Join us for 

Reflective Practice Group! 

Every first Wednesday of the month at noon via Zoom. Discuss a recent mediation, trends in ADR, or anything mediation-related with CCR staff and your fellow volunteers.

Join the fun via the Zoom link here.

Password: Magic

Help Us Plan an Upcoming

Continuing Ed Program!

Do you have a great idea for

a speaker or topic for an upcoming Continuing Ed Program? If so, we would love to hear your thoughts.

Please email Israel to connect about your ideas.

Connect with us

Learn more about CCR and our Core Values HERE!