Center committed to finding healing and peace; Guest column

I joined the Anne Arundel Conflict Resolution Center as the Executive Director a little over 10 months ago, and one of my first duties was to attend a meet and greet with a number of the center's founders and early supporters.

As I was driving to the event, a number of thoughts ran through my mind including who might be there, and what kind of impressions might be made with this group?

My purpose for attending this event was to share the new vision and direction of AACRC's future. By the time I arrived, all doubts and concerns melted away when our hostess opened the door with a cheerful welcome, stepping into a room filled with passionate peacemakers.

At that moment I understood how their passion, inspiration, and dedication established and influenced AACRC for the last 25 years.

The center continues to replicate an environment of healing for participants during the mediation process. If anyone would know how to recreate this experience, creating a means of healing a community, it would be that dedicated group of people who truly understand the power of peaceful conflict resolution.

In October 1993, they had the vision to establish one of the first 501(c)(3) volunteer-based community conflict resolution centers in Maryland.

Twenty-five years ago there was rapid growth in the county which resulted in spikes in crime, drugs, and violence, spurring community activists in Glen Burnie to collect signatures to support the death penalty. AACRC's founders wanted to create a different solution.

Fortunately, a few great minds, including Margie Bryce and Bill Davidson, initiated a grassroots-based endeavor. They began discussing plans to develop the conflict resolution center at a time when Alternative Dispute Resolution practices were gaining popularity around the United States.

Their vision took over a year of intense planning, including outreach to several local community leaders, including Del. Mike Malone, Martin Kranitz, Yevola Peters and Robert Eades.

By 1994, AACRC was offering mediator training and free mediation to residents throughout Anne Arundel County. In 1996, County Executive John Gary invited AACRC to share space with the County at the Center's current location in the Heritage Complex on Riva Road.

During the past quarter century, we have successfully provided services to diminish violence without resorting to extremes like the death penalty. AACRC has flourished and evolved.

The center has provided conflict resolution and violence prevention-related services to thousands of county residents and trained hundreds of mediators. Studies show that by providing mediation services to county residents, we decrease contact with law enforcement and the courts and reduce violence and recidivism.

AACRC collaborates and shares resources with 14 other community conflict resolution centers statewide. We work in partnership with the court system, providing mediations for clients who need parenting, child custody plans, or other family-based solutions.

We have continued to offer mediation services for neighbors, landlords, and tenants, and facilitate Individualized Education Programs for students in partnership with public schools.

We now offer mediations to facilitate prisoners' successful reentry to their communities, conflict resolution training, and anger management classes. While most of our services are free, our fee-based services include workshops at local worksites and conflict coaching.

AACRC remains committed to high-quality programs and to realizing opportunities for healing and peace for residents in the county.

Thank you for your continued support and participation as we look forward to another 25 years of even greater opportunities and accomplishments.

Georgia Noone-Sherrod is the executive director of the Anne Arundel Conflict Resolution Center. To learn more about AACRC and ways to support, volunteer, or partner with us, please visit our website at aacrc.info or call 410-266-9033.

Credit: Georgia Noone-Sherrod - Georgia Noone-Sherrod is the executive director of the Anne Arundel Conflict Resolution Center. To learn more about AACRC and ways to support, volunteer, or partner with us, please visit our website at aacrc.info or call 410-266-9033.