The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire –– Savannah, Ga.’s leading organization dedicated to helping citizens proactively manage conflict and creating a more conflict-resilient community –– recently welcomed Connor Fowkes as a Youth Development Coordinator.

In his new position, Fowkes oversees The Mediation Center’s popular Positive Peer Influencer program, which teaches Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools high school students to become peer leaders in their schools and to mentor local middle school students, encouraging them to make healthy decisions. Now in its fourth year, the Positive Peer Influencer program trains more than 300 local high school students to work with more than 3,000 local middle school students annually, making a significant impact.

“Connor brings nearly a decade of hands-on experience, compassionate leadership and a strong commitment to youth development to his new role at The Mediation Center,” said Dr. Aimee Bellmore, The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire’s Executive Director. “We’re thrilled to welcome him to our team and are confident that will help us take our successful Positive Peer Influencer program to new heights in the future, reaching even more students across Chatham County.”

Prior to joining The Mediation Center, Fowkes served as Youth Program Coordinator at the Jewish Educational Alliance in Savannah, Ga. He previously worked as the Associate Director of Youth, Camp and Family Services at the Jewish Community Center in Memphis, Tenn. for five years and as the Youth Director at First United Methodist Church in Lexington, Tenn. for three years.

Fowkes earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management from Western Kentucky University as well as a Master of Arts in Youth Ministry from Memphis Theological Seminary.

An active community volunteer, he works with local organizations including Second Harvest Food Bank, Feed My Starving Child and Tybee Clean Beach and also serves as a volunteer Sunday School teacher. Originally from Illinois, he resides in Savannah’s Isle of Hope neighborhood.