The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire has been awarded a $2,500 grant by Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. to boost its Peer Mediation program.

The Peer Mediation program has become popular with the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, where 35 schools now host a team of peer mediators. These dedicated students have become certified in mediation and are now helping their peers to settle disputes and handle conflicts without the need for disciplinary intervention.

This confidential process gives participants the opportunity to talk through their troubles without bias from peer mediators. Peer mediators listen to all participants and help the participants to develop their own solution to the conflict. Many kinds of conflicts can be mediated, including teasing, disagreements, name-calling, rumor and gossip harassment, cheating and stealing and cases of vandalism.

As interest in the program grows, more resources must be dedicated to expanding the program. Mediation Center Executive Director Jill Cheeks said the decision to apply for a Gulfstream grant to ramp up Peer Mediation came easily to her.

“The Peer Mediation program is beneficial to both the student mediators and the students they are helping. Peer mediators are committed to making their school a peaceful place to learn, which is an admirable goal for teenagers. Before they can mediate, they receive intensive training in communication, problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills. The skills students are learning in the mediation process are life-long skills and will create a healthier workplace,” Cheeks said. “And the children who undergo peer mediation come to understand problems don’t have to escalate. Issues can be addressed before they develop into full-blown confrontations. We appreciate Gulfstream recognizing the value of this program to help nurture future leaders.”