The Center for Conflict Resolution (CCR) is a Chicago-based organization founded in 1979. In the past four decades, CCR has grown to become one of the nation’s premier not-for-profit providers of mediation services and training. Since its founding, the organization’s volunteer mediators have handled over 30,000 disputes. CCR mediates 1,500 cases annually with the support of volunteers and staff.
The Center for Conflict Resolution’s mission is to work with individuals, communities, courts, and other institutions to manage and resolve conflict. CCR is committed to 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; and broadening awareness to the general public of the substantial benefits of conflict resolution.
CCR provides free mediation services for issues of community concern, public health, criminal misdemeanor, juvenile, landlord-tenant, small claims, consumer/merchant, foreclosure and other Chancery Court cases throughout the Chicago area. Through its mediation services, CCR streamlines the judicial process, empowers individuals to find solutions to their problems, and ensures that mediation is available as an alternative to litigation, regardless of ability to pay.
A CCR PILI Intern will have the opportunity to participate in CCR’s 40-hour Mediation Skills Training and then will work closely post-training with staff members to reach certified mediator status. PILI interns will be trained to manage our court-based mediation programs, providing volunteer mediators with detailed briefing and debriefing before and after mediation sessions. Working in our court programs will provide the intern with a chance to become familiar with how small claims courtrooms operate and will allow them to work with court personnel including judges and clerks. The intern will have the opportunity to mediate cases both in our court programs and at our offices. Depending on the intern’s interest and our organizational need, there may also be opportunities to work with foreclosure, volunteer and training staff.
A CCR PILI Fellow will have the opportunity to participate in CCR’s 40-hour Mediation Skills Training and then will work closely post-training with staff members to reach certified mediator status. PILI Fellows will be trained to manage our court-based mediation programs, providing volunteer mediators with detailed briefing and debriefing before and after mediation sessions. Working in our court programs will provide the Fellow with a chance to become familiar with how small claims courtrooms operate and will allow them to work with court personnel including judges and clerks. The Fellow will have the opportunity to mediate cases both in our court programs and at our offices. The Fellow would also meet regularly with Executive Director to assist with special projects or research and to ensure that his/her experience is rewarding and diverse.
This agency is approved to host a Law Student Intern during the summer. They are also approved to host Graduate Fellows.