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ABOUT CCR

Who We Are

CCR has a 40-year track record of working with individuals, communities, courts and other institutions to manage and resolve conflict.

Please click on the buttons below to learn more about our organization.

Interested in learning more about CCR?
Check out CCR's 2022-2023 Annual Report!

Each year, CCR serves more than 10,000 clients through more than 20 mediation programs including small claims, evictions, foreclosure, family/parenting and community disputes.

CCR also trains more than 500 individuals annually in mediation and conflict management/communication skills.​

View 2022-2023 Annual Report booklet version

View 2022-2023 Annual Report single page version

Cover image of CCR's 2022-2023 Annual Report showing lit up view of the Chicago River. Clicking on the image opens a link to the report.

OUR MISSION

The Center for Conflict Resolution's mission is to work with individuals, communities, courts and other institutions to manage and resolve conflict.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement

The Center for Conflict Resolution is an equal opportunity service provider that values the richness of Chicagoland’s diverse communities and emphasizes inclusiveness. The Center provides our client base with quality mediation services regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, class or socioeconomic status, age, religion, national origin, disability, professional background or other characteristics. We strive to reflect the diverse communities we serve in our staff, our board and our volunteers.

MISSION & HISTORY

THE HISTORY OF THE CENTER FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION

In 1979, the Young Lawyers Section of The Chicago Bar Association supported the creation of a not-for-profit corporation to aid the Chicago community in effectively handling disputes. Originally known as the Neighborhood Justice of Chicago, the Center for Conflict Resolution opened in a storefront in Chicago's Uptown Neighborhood to help people resolve their conflicts through mediation.

More than 40 years later, the Center for Conflict Resolution has program sites throughout Cook County, is governed by a 26-member Board of Directors and relies on a full-time staff of twenty-three and approximately 180 active volunteer mediators who mediate 90% of CCR's cases. In the past five years alone, CCR mediated over 10,000 cases and provided conflict management training to thousands of individuals.

CCR BELIEVES IN

  • Providing the highest quality conflict resolution services.

  • Helping people in conflict arrive at their own solutions.

  • Being responsive to the needs of the broad community it serves.

  • Granting access to its services to all people regardless of means or identity.

  • Valuing its clients, volunteers and staff as essential to fulfilling its mission.

  • Broadening awareness of the general public of the substantial benefits of conflict resolution.

CCR staff smile at the registration table for the 2024 Annual Event, Mayfest for Mediation

CCR strives to be an organization where all are welcome and able to thrive. This work includes a commitment to being a trans-affirming organization for staff, volunteers, mediation participants, and the public. CCR is committed to more fully including, respecting, and protecting transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.

Read the Trans-Affirming Best Practices FAQ developed by Praxis Group to learn more about this work. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW MEDIATION WORKS!

Rae Kyritsi, Programs Director at CCR is interviewed by Karen Conti on WGN:

WGN Radio’s - Karen Conti & Rae Kyritsi
00:00 / 00:00
Center for Conflict Resolution
interview
Tropical Beach

HELPING FRIENDS MAKE AMENDS

Kiera and Lawrence were referred to mediation after Kiera sued Lawrence for money owed from a canceled vacation. The mediator quickly realized that the money didn’t matter very much to the parties – their conflict was really about feelings of betrayal and miscommunication.

After the mediator guided them through reflective exercises, both parties agreed that they cared much less about the travel refund than saving their long-time friendship. In the last few minutes of the mediation, they settled their pending court case.

WATCH THESE VIDOES TO LEARN ABOUT CCR &
THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE

videos

WHAT'S NEW

CCR's Gift Acceptance Policy - CCR now accepts securities donations!

STRATEGIC PLAN

Check out CCR's Strategic Plan

IN THE MEDIA

Press Release September 2021 - CCR announces new Community-Police Mediation Program.

Press Release June 2020 - CCR is proud to have Programs Director Rae Kyritsi serve as the neutral facilitator to a Community Working Group to Review Department Use of Force Policies in Chicago. 

Legal Aid Committee Selected Highlights 2012

articles
Logos of supporting organizations: United Way, Chicago Bar Foundation, Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, Polk Bros Foundation, and JAMS.
Large gray lettered background above the logos of supporting organizations says "Support from"

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