The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire – Savannah, Ga.’s leading organization dedicated to helping citizens proactively manage conflict – is delighted to host the 8^th annual Anchored in the Community fundraiser on Thursday, February 27 at 5:30 p.m. at Savannah Technical College’s Eckburg Auditorium, located at 5517 White Bluff Road in Savannah, Ga.

“Anchored in the Community will celebrate our local community and honor individuals and companies that make Savannah more peaceful and more conflict-resilient,” said Jill Cardenas, executive director of The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire. “This annual fundraiser is a heartfelt celebration of the people and programs that are making a positive impact across the region. We warmly welcome all of our volunteers, business partners, supporters and those interested in learning more about The Mediation Center to join us for an inspiring evening.”

Formerly known as the Velvet Gala, the Anchored in the Community event showcases The Mediation Center’s services, which provide strategic alternatives to litigation and increase access to justice throughout coastal Georgia. Funds raised at the annual fundraiser will support The Mediation Center’s youth programs, conflict resolution training opportunities, professional services and the Family Law Resource Center.

The evening’s festivities will begin with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by an awards ceremony at 6 p.m. Additional event highlights include delicious food stations, fun activities and raffle prizes.

Award winners recognized at the 2025 Anchored in the Community event will include:

• Domestic Mediator Volunteer Award - Ben Gustafson

• General Civil Mediator Volunteer Award - Hugh Worsham

• Probate Award - Howard Zabusky

• Specialized Domestic Violence Mediator Award - Robert Rodatus

• Innovator Award - Larry Kopzcak

• Stellar Advocate for Youth Guardian Ad Litem - Janice Powell

• Business Partners of the Year - Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team and Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (Positive Peer Influencers Initiative)

• Attorney Appreciation Awards - Brett Brinson and Timothy Haeussler

• Community Advocacy Award - Bunny Ware

• Youth Volunteer Award - Gwendalina McClain-Digby

• The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire Board Service Awards - Ni’Aisha Banks, Denethris Barnes, Pastor Marsha Buford, Doreen Oliver, Savannah City Council Fourth District Alderman Nick Palumbo, Curtis Singleton, Ruby Weitzell and Tramayne Young

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear inspiring stories from award-winning volunteers who are advancing the mission of The Mediation Center and local students who participated in youth programs.

The highly successful Positive Peer Influencer Program, presented in collaboration with the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) and Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team (CNT), will be highlighted throughout the evening. The Positive Peer Influencer Program is designed to help local teens make healthy choices and to educate them to the dangers of opioids, including fentanyl. Now in its second year, the Positive Peer Influencer Program has more than doubled the number of high school students receiving training and expanded its reach to eight SCCPSS middle schools.

In addition to the success of the Positive Peer Influencer Program, The Mediation Center facilitated more than 1,000 mediation sessions, hosted parenting classes for 800 parents, trained 500 individuals in conflict resolution and de-escalation and provided a Guardian ad Litem for more than 50 local children in 2024.

Last year’s Anchored in the Community event raised more than $50,000 in revenue to support The Mediation Center’s programs, services and initiatives designed to transform lives one conversation at a time.

Tickets for Anchored in the Community 2025 are currently on sale for $125 per person with additional options for tables and reserved VIP seating at mediationsavannah.com.

Anchored in the Community sponsorship opportunities are also available. Local businesses interested in sponsoring The Mediation Center’s annual fundraiser are invited to contact Pam Manning at pmanning@mediationsavannah.com.