“We walked away with a resolution we both liked, and we’re getting along” - Mediation Participant

COME JOIN US
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer mediators at the Center for Conflict Resolution (CCR) are at the core of our mission and are at the forefront of practice in the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) field. At CCR, volunteers have a unique opportunity to mediate a wide range of high conflict, high emotion disputes with diverse parties.
Ways to Volunteer with the Center for Conflict Resolution:
Mediator Mentorship Program
In order to be a volunteer mediator with CCR, individuals must participate in an intensive training program called the Mediation Mentorship Program (MMP).
The MMP is a 3-month mentorship program designed to prepare individuals to meet CCR's strict performance-based evaluation standard and if certified, be able to provide top-quality mediation services in our mediation programs throughout the Chicagoland area. A prerequisite of the MMP program is recent completion of a 40-hour Mediation Skills Training (more details and approved trainings below).

The Components of the MMP:
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Half-day orientation
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One-day Adapted Model Mediation Training for civil court-based mediations
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Three-month mentorship program
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Certification simulation
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18 month commitment to mediate at least twice per month
Certification as a CCR Volunteer Mediator:
CCR Volunteer Mediators are trained, mentored and certified using a performance-based evaluation standard. In order to become certified as a CCR mediator, prospective volunteers must be able to demonstrate a master skill level in the CCR Mediation Model. CCR sets a high standard for training and certification – we work to provide the very highest level of service to our clients.
Mediator Mentorship Program 2022 Cycle Two
Dates for the upcoming MMP application cycle are to be announced. Please email [email protected] if you would like email updates about the next MMP cycle.
Please note an important prerequisite to applying to the program! Applicants are required to have participated in a 40-hour Mediation Skills training within the last 18 months of submitting an application (extended to two years for the 2022 application period). See approved trainings below.
We are also offering an opportunity for people who have participated in any 40-hour Mediation Skills Training approved by the Cook County Chancery Court to attend a one-day training to get oriented to the CCR model. The training is called Mediate the CCR Way: Essentials of the CCR Mediation Model and is offered at various times throughout the year. Please check here for any updates about this training.
APPROVED TRAINING
Center for Conflict Resolution
Title: 40-hour Mediation Skills Training
Aga Khan Conciliation and Arbitration Board (CAB USA)
The Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center
De Paul University
College of Law Center For Dispute Resolution
Title: “Mediation Certificate Training Course”
Dispute Resolutions, Inc.
Broward County Bar Association Conference Center
Title: “Circuit Civil Mediation Certification Training”
Dominican University
Title: Mediation Skills Training
Harvard Law School
Harvard Negotiation Institute
Title: “Mediation Workshop”
ICLEF (Indiana Continuing Legal Education Foundation)
Title: “Civil Mediation Training”
Illinois State Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
Title: "40 Hour Mediation/Arbitration Training"
Mediation, Inc.
Title: “Civil Superior Court Mediation”
Miller, Andy B Mediation Skills, Inc.
Title: A 40-hour Performance Based Mediation Skills Training
National Judicial College
Title: “Civil Mediation”
Northwestern University
Title: “Mediation Skills Training”
Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution Pepperdine University School of Law
Title: “Mediating the Litigated Case”

Determine which training-track is required for you:
If you were trained at another organization more than 18 months prior to application to the MMP, you will be required to take either the Essentials course or the CCR Mediation Skills Training. Decisions will be based on an review of the individual's training and mediation experience.
If you were trained more than three years ago, through any program, decisions will be made on a case by case basis.

Training Prerequisites Information, Dates, and Registration:
Please see details below from the Fall 2021 MMP cycle.
MMP 2021 Cycle Two Information
MMP 2021 Cycle Two Application
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, OR TO BE CONTACTED WHEN APPLICATIONS ARE READY, PLEASE CONTACT:
Larissa Hachinski
Assistant Training Director
Center for Conflict Resolution
11 E. Adams, Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60603
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 312-922-6464 Ext. 15
Volunteer Council
Please click here for more information