Local Peacemaker Award Winners Announced

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Oct. 4, 2017 - PRLog -- The Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan (DRCWM) will present the Local Peacemaker Awards on October 12, 2017 at the Eve-the B.O.B. Grand Rapids.  The DRCWM invites the community to attend "reSOLVE it!" to our celebrate Local Peacemakers and International Conflict Resolution Day at The B.O.B – Eve, 20 Monroe Ave., NW, Grand Rapids at 6:30 p.m.

Local Peacemaker Awards will be given to Robyn Gransow-Higley of Wyoming High School and Carl Verbeek of Varnum, LLP .

Robyn is an Art Teacher at Wyoming High School. In the spring of 2016, Robyn requested a restorative circle for one her classes where students were struggling with disruptions that interfered with them working and learning together. After experiencing the circle, she referred to the process as a "miracle." In the fall 2016, she volunteered to be trained as a restorative practices (RP) facilitator. Since that time, she has intentionally incorporated RP in all of her classes to build positive community, enhance curriculum group projects and address conflict. One of her community contributions included giving her advanced art students the task of creating a symbol to use with Restorative Practices circles at Wyoming High School. As a result, they created a beautiful Mandala Circle of Art rug that has received county-wide recognition. She is a strong supporter and advocate for restorative practices in school.

_______________________

Carl has donated hundreds of hours as a volunteer mediator for the Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan helping people resolve a wide variety of disagreements, both at the Center and onsite at local courts.  Carl brings to the table a distinguished legal career, having practiced  at Varnum for over 50 years and donated many hours of community service on the boards of other local non-profit agencies including the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Reformed Church of America, and Faith Hospice.  Carl not only shares years of conflict resolution expertise with our clients, but he also exudes warmth and a gentle sense of humor.

In addition to the Local Peacemaker Awards, reSOLVE it! will feature dinner, cash bar, and a raffle.  The entertainment at reSOLVE it will be provided the Murder Mystery Company, who will guide guests through 90 minutes of spellbinding "who done it!"  Guests are encouraged to get in the spirit by dressing in evening attire.

Tickets are available for $50 at drcwm.org.  Proceeds will support our school programs which have helped students to avoid hundreds of suspensions days through restorative circles.

For More information contact:  Christine Gilman, Executive Director DRCWM (616) 774-0121 x101, cgilman@drcwm.org, cell (616) 581-3582

About us:  Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan www.drcwm.org

The DRCWM is a non-profit community dispute resolution center serving seven counties in West Michigan.  It provides mediation services on a sliding scale, mediation training, restorative facilitators, and restorative practices training.

In the last year the DRCWM served almost 2000 individuals, mediated 670 disputes in a wide variety of areas, mediated 74% of its cases to full or partial agreement.  Mediation helps participants to resolve conflicts on their own timeline, in a private setting, on their own terms.  Our mediators are volunteers trained pursuant to the Michigan State Court Administrator's guidelines.

Contact:  Christine Gilman, Executive Director Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan

cgilman@drcwm.org, (616) 774-0121x101