Musician, author and community activist Darryl Davis provided an extraordinary afternoon of music and celebration for the first fund raising effort of the Community Mediation Upper Shore (CMUS) Board. A fellowship of friends, neighbors and community joined CMUS Board Members in a lovely event this past April 10 at the Mainstay in Rock Hall, which also included a silent auction. Dinner was presented later that evening at the Osprey Point Restaurant. “So many hands were needed to organize an event of this caliber,” notes Board Chair Sharyn Nesnow, “and we so appreciate everyone in the community helping us in this our premier event.” CMUS raised over $6,000 from the successful concert and dinner event.
The non-profit organization CMUS, originally named the Chester Valley Community Mediation Service, is celebrating ten years of service to the community this year. An anniversary picnic is planned in June to honor those who helped establish its beginning and contributed to this thriving organization, fueled by state-trained volunteer mediators in Kent, Queen Anne’s and Cecil counties. The Center, like others throughout Maryland, is funded in part by the MD state judicial system, but each of the state’s 18 centers is required to raise a certain percentage of funding on its own.
As an alternative to traditional litigation methods, CMUS provides free conflict resolution services in a way that promotes respectful resolution of conflict within families, neighborhoods and businesses. Community mediation strives to assist people to communicate and build relationships through a process that strives to resolve normal conflicts that are a part of community living.
Beyond mediation, the center also offers group facilitation, education and training to the communities it serves. Mediation and facilitation services are provided at times and locations convenient to participants in 30 locations throughout the tri-county area served. It is a voluntary and confidential process providing space for open communication among the participants. In 2010, volunteers and staff provided 2,870 service hours, averaging 55 hours per week in addition to the set 15 office hours per week. For more information, call (410) 810-9188, or 866-652-0417 toll free and to view the website, https://www.cmusmediation.org/.
Lark Eshleman Patterson says
Fabulous article about an incredibly valuable asset to our community. Thanks, Chestertown Spy, for the good coverage of this worthwhile event and the amazing and highly successful non-profit work of so many people.