Well, it has been one year since I started at the CMC and what a year! There are so many amazing things that happen at the center that unless you are here every day, you might not see. Did you know that the CMC does conflict management presentations for all types of organizations and groups for free? This past year, the CMC has talked to professional organizations, civic groups, schools, neighborhood leagues and even university resident Assistants.

Did you know that the CMC works with youth in gangs helping them to transition out of this lifestyle? The CMC even works with these same youth and their parents to restore peace within the family unit.

Did you know that no one is ever turned away from mediation because of their inability to pay? The CMC offers pricing affordable to everyone. The CMC believes in the power of mediation and knows that everyone can benefit from the process.

How about the Peer Mediation Programs in schools? Did you know the CMC has trained 3 local high schools in peer mediation and that one school, Granby, has nearly 7 times the amount of referrals than any in the state? The students state that they are extremely satisfied with the process and are actually self referring when they have issues.

Did you know that the CMC served 1,466 parents and 893 children through family mediation services and parenting training last year alone; helped 1,081 citizens come to a resolution of their conflicts; trained 179 parents in how to keep their children out of adult conflict; trained 574 at-risk youth in violence prevention skills and trained 1,325 adults in community workshop on conflict resolution. The Center served 2,856 people who were at or below 125% of the poverty level and considered indigent. An additional 1,531 low-income family members or individuals were served who were at or below 200% of the poverty level.
It is amazing all the wonderful services the CMC provides with such a small staff. The difference is that although the staff size is small, their passion and dedication to community service and to helping their community resolve conflict is enormous.

I cannot wait to learn more as I know that what we do truly makes a difference in our community. If you want to learn more, call us at 757-480-2777


Kim Humphrey
Executive Director

Farewell to a Friend

It is with a heavy heart that Community Mediation Center of Southeastern Virginia (CMC) announces the sudden passing in January of good friend, mediator and mentor Ken Ferebee.


In 2002 Ken was searching for an organization that could use his experience working with media sales and a local victim-witness offender program. Thankfully, he found us! Because of Ken's efforts, the Hampton Roads General District Court mediation program grew from its infancy with less than 50 GDC cases a year to over 300 per year regularly offering on-site mediation services in almost all local courts. After two years of volunteering at court, Ken became an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer with the CMC and served for an additional 3 years. In addition to working at local courts Ken was an excellent advocate for mediation, consistently working with clerks, judges and other court professionals encouraging the referral of mediation cases. Ken was personally responsible for mentoring many of the mediators in southeastern Virginia.

Ken had a remarkable way with community members, helping them understand the benefits of mediation and getting them comfortable with the process. Not only did he communicate well in mediation, he also was great at communicating with crowds! It has been said that Ken did the best "try mediation" speech, helped by his smooth Virginia Beach native style and calming tone.

Ken was honored by the CMC in 2004 with a Peacemaker award for his self-motivated spirit. Ken was a veteran, serving in the US Coast Guard during the Vietnam War. He also was a devoted father and grandfather.

Ken was remarkably talented and responsible for designing CMC's creative logo - the dove/hand and heart - as well creating many of the mediation brochures and flyers the CMC has used during the past 6 years. He put his graphic design talents to work again by creating posters for each of the local general district courts, encouraging readers to try mediation.

Ken will truly be missed, not only for his efforts training mediators and organizing cases, but also for his experience, encouragement, great sense of humor and caring spirit around the office. As fellow CMC staff member, Chuck Hardwick recalls, "we shared the same memories, the same political moments and enjoyed reading the same authors. We remembered the same television commercials and the summers before air-conditioning. Ken had a great sense of humor, laced with wit. His melodious radio voice will never be forgotten."

Please come join the CMC as we celebrate Ken's life and service to the mediation community on Thursday, March 20th. From 5:00pm to 6:00pm, share your personal stories about Ken. From 6:00pm to 7:30pm the CMC is hosting an Open House for the community as part of March is Mediation Month. Plan to stay and participate in CMC's version of March Madness.

If you have personal memories of Ken you wold like to share with CMC, please share it our blog. If you wold like to make a donation in Ken's memory, please do so online or mail to Attn: Finding Common Ground Endowment Fund, 586 Virginian Drive, Norfolk VA 23505.

Sincerely,

Kim Humphrey
Executive Director
757-480-2777