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June 16, 2025

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5 News Notes

2023 Volunteer Mediation Training Dates Announced, AmeriCorps Members Sought

December 3, 2022 by Spy Desk

Mid Shore Community Mediation Center is seeking volunteers to join their team of community mediators. The center provides free mediation services for residents of Caroline, Dorchester, and Talbot counties. The Basic Mediation Training will be held twice in 2023, once in February and March and again in August.

The center hosts nearly 400 mediations each year. With only three full-time staff, the center relies heavily on volunteers to provide this critical public service. Our friends, neighbors, and community members continue to choose mediation instead of litigation or violence. Our volunteers support all kinds of conversations, including parenting plans, elder care, neighborhood disputes, re-entry from incarceration, youth and families, substance abuse recovery and conflicts within our schools.

Mid Shore Community Mediation Center operates under three main principles; mediation is voluntary and confidential, and the mediators are nonjudgmental. Our fundamental belief is that people are experts in their own lives and are better equipped to develop solutions than anyone else. Mediations provide a supported environment where everyone’s voices are heard.

We are also seeking applicants for our AmeriCorps program. AmeriCorps members make a commitment to provide 1700 hours of community service for 11 months. Members receive a stipend of $17,600 and $6,895 for education expenses, and some travel reimbursement. Support may also be available for health care and childcare.

Applicants must speak and read English, and live in Caroline, Dorchester, or Talbot counties. Applications are available online and should be submitted to [email protected] or call (410)820-5553 for more information. Training dates: February 25-26, March 4-5, March 11-12, and back-up dates are March 18-19, 10:00-6:30 pm each day. All training dates are required and volunteers may apply for either March or August training.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 5 News Notes Tagged With: local news, Mid-Shore Mediation

Mid Shore Community Mediation Center Seeking Volunteers

February 13, 2022 by Mid Shore Community Mediation Center

Mid Shore Community Mediation Center is seeking volunteers to join their team of community mediators!

Mid Shore Community Mediation Center provides no-cost mediation and conflict resolution services to residents in Caroline, Dorchester, and Talbot counties. In existence since 2005, the center is among the most active in Maryland, with an average of 5-6 mediations scheduled weekly.

Mediation is a private collaborative problem-solving process where people experiencing conflict can come together and have open, honest conversations, with the support of two trained mediators, to get things resolved or make plans for the future. Mediation puts the people involved in the situation into the driver’s seat – participants make all of the decisions.

“Mediation is an essential service for our friends and neighbors, chances are most people on the mid-shore have either been invited to mediation or know someone who has. For families making decisions about their children or elders, folks re-entering the community after incarceration, our young people – the opportunity to participate in mediation can be life changing,” says Executive Director, Jenn Williams. Williams has been with the organization since 2012 and stewarded the center’s extensive youth programs prior to assuming the directorship. “Our mission is to empower our community members to deal with conflict positively. So many people think of conflict as a dirty word – but the truth is that conflict is part of the human condition, conflict can be necessary, and what makes it good or bad is how it is managed,” says Williams.

Volunteer Coordinator, Jessica Basom, says of potential volunteers, “We’re looking for folks who believe that people are capable of resolving their own situations given the right environment and support. Our volunteers must be able to listen to people in really difficult situations without letting their judgments get in the way of understanding what’s happening for them and what they need to move forward.”

Mediations are scheduled at the convenience of our clients. “We have opportunities to mediate seven days a week, from morning through early evening,” says Basom, “so there is something for everyone. Without our volunteers, what we do would not be possible. We really do need every single member of the team. COVID was devastating for us all – we need new members to step up and help foster civility and peace in our hometowns.”

Volunteers are not required to have previous training. “We really encourage everyone and anyone to apply if they have the interest – we value diversity in all areas, from race and age to life experiences,” says Williams.

Basic Mediation Training will take place in March. Participants will be required to self-screen for COVID and wear masks. To apply or for more information, contact Jessica Basom at (410)820-5553 or [email protected].

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 5 News Notes Tagged With: local news, Mid-Shore Mediation, Volunteer

Sally Woodall: Mid Shore Community Mediation Center 2021 Volunteer of the Year

August 26, 2021 by Spy Desk

Sally Woodall

Sally Woodall has been recognized by the Mid Shore Community Mediation Center as 2021 Volunteer of the Year.  The Center promotes peaceful resolution of conflict with collaborative problem-solving resources in Dorchester, Caroline, and Talbot Counties.  This award is given to the person who shows dedication in helping others resolve conflicts and demonstrates a broad commitment to the Center.  Sally was presented her award by Center Executive Director, Jennifer Williams, and Volunteer Coordinator, Jessica Basom at the recent MSCMC Volunteer Recognition Picnic.

Sally has volunteered with Mid Shore Community Mediation Center since 2013.  A long time contributor, Sally has especially demonstrated her commitment this year by participating in 20 mediation sessions.  This is a significant accomplishment given that this was done in the context of the COVID19 pandemic.  It required learning new skills and techniques to deliver a quality mediation in the virtual environment.  In addition to providing skilled mediations, Sally has a history of involvement in many outreach programs.  She is a member of the Volunteer Engagement Committee and provides strong mentorship to new mediators.  Because of Sally’s commitment to providing a high quality process, she is one of the most highly trained volunteers supporting the Center.

If you ever had the chance to see Sally in action, you know that she builds an atmosphere of trust with her humility and acceptance of others.  This creates a safe environment where dialogue can occur among the parties to explore possible solutions and work toward developing a mutually acceptable solution.  Mid Shore Community Mediation Center is privileged to have Sally Woodall’s support and is happy to bestow this well deserved recognition on her.

If you are interested in supporting the work of Mid Shore Community Mediation Center consider volunteering as a community mediator.  As a mediator, you will support people navigating through some of the most difficult times in their lives. Mediators guide participants through a process that helps identify problems and generate solutions in a safe and non-judgemental space.   To do this, you are provided the skills through a program of training and mentorship.   You can also lend your support to building a more peace-able community with your financial gift, no matter how small.  Your donation may be tax deductible.  For more information you can contact MSCMC at 410-820-5553 or visit the website at www.midshoremediation.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 9 Brevities Tagged With: local news, Mid-Shore Mediation

Caroline County Community Resource Fair in Denton

May 23, 2021 by Spy Desk

Mid-Shore Community Mediation Center invites Caroline County residents to an in-person Community Resource Fair on Saturday, June 5, 12 noon – 4 p.m. at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 S. 5th Avenue, Denton, Maryland 21629.  The event is free of charge for all, with snacks and activities provided for children.

Community members can learn get free Covid vaccines (no insurance required!) plus learn about vital low-cost or no-cost individual and family services resources for all ages, and get information on Housing, Health & Wellness, Recovery Support, Legal Assistance, WIC, Behavioral Health.

Among the organizations participating:

  • Caroline County Health Department – Free Covid Vaccines, Feeding Women & Children, Alcohol & Drug Prevention
  • Caroline County Public Library
  • Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence
  • Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Eastern Shore
  • Sober Living/Recovery Housing
  • Mid-Shore Behavioral Health
  • State’s Attorney’s Office
  • Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center
  • Minary’s Dream Alliance
  • Caroline County Medical Adult Day Care Services
  • Mid-Shore Restoring Hope in Women
  • Crossroads Community
  • Chesapeake Voyagers, Inc.

Representatives of these dedicated organizations and more look forward to providing answers and raising awareness to help people find solutions.

For more information about Mid-Shore Community Mediation and to learn how to get involved visit midshoremediation.org/ or call 410-820-5553.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Health Notes Tagged With: Caroline County, Health, local news, Mid-Shore Mediation

Spy Chat: Mid-Shore Mediation’s Jenn Williams

December 12, 2019 by The Spy

While the holiday season does bring good tidings and cheers for all, Jenn Williams, the executive director of Mid-Shore Mediation, would add mediation to that list.

At a time when our society is becoming more and more divided on both the political and cultural front, Jenn, with her small army of dedicated staff and volunteers, is proving, with over 600 cases a year, that medication does indeed work, even with young people.

In fact, the lion’s share of Mid-Shore’s mediation casework takes place at the school level with stunning results. Not only do they work with students experiencing conflict with peers, but they also have been hugely successful in student-teacher challenges that not only lead to positive outcomes for the participants, but for entire classrooms.

The Spy sat down with Jenn a few weeks ago to talk about Mid-Shore Mediation, a group she has worked for decades as its youth coordinator before becoming their new director last year. In her interview, Jenn outlines this remarkably successful record.

This video is approximately five minutes in length. For more information about Mid-Shore Mediation please go here

Don’t miss the latest! You can subscribe to The Talbot Spy‘s free Daily Intelligence Report here. 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 2 News Homepage, News Portal Lead Tagged With: local news, Mid-Shore Mediation, Spy Chat, The Talbot Spy

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