Center for Conflict Resolution (CCR)

Background

Center for Conflict Resolution was founded in Kansas City, Missouri as a mediation center in 2000 by Diane Kyser. It was initially funded through grants by United Way and Community Development Block Grants. CCR was originally Community Mediation Center. ¹ It expanded to include domestic mediation, property, and custody issues, then changed its focus to mediation in the court and prison systems as well as communities and schools. ²

CCR offers mediation services, facilitation, and training using restorative justice practices. ² Restorative Justice focuses on working with victims and offenders through discussion and mediation rather than involving the police or the criminal justice system. ³ CCR focus areas are schools, neighborhoods, and prisons and reentry. ⁴

CCR has 18 employees, 20 certified mediators, and a board of directors as of November 27, 2022. ²

The CCR Facebook page posts alternative contact numbers for crisis and hot lines and counselors to use instead of 911 and as an alternative to police involvement, indicating that calling 911 can “lead to the brutalizing and even killing of the victims themselves.” ⁵

Programs

In schools, Center for Conflict Resolution offers students training in bullying prevention, conflict resolution, and anger management, and offers teachers and administrators training in restorative justice. ⁶

Neighborhood Accountability Boards (NAB) are used for restorative justice in communities and involve discussions with an individual who has done harm, a victim, NAB board members, and a CCR facilitator to discuss what has occurred and any possible follow up without involving police or the court system. ⁷

In prisons, CCR offers restorative justice training for correctional officers and prison staff, and re-entry and transition workshops and trainings to prisoners, including anger management and conflict resolution. ⁸ In the prison system, restorative justice focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims and with the community they are a part of and reduces the role of punishment. ⁹

The Restorative Reentry Community program at the Transition Center Kansas City (TCKC) is a CCR program that focuses on restorative justice to prepare inmates for transition to the community. ¹⁰ The TCKC, formerly Kansas City Release Center, is a 250-bed community-based facility for male offenders preparing to reenter the community from prison. ¹¹

Financials and Donors

Center for Conflict Resolution is funded through public and private grants, some fees for service based on the income of the clients, and individual donations. ¹² CCR’s 2020 tax return shows $748,968 in revenue, which includes $173,994 for paid services and $512,083 in contributions and grants. Expenses totaled $550,432, of which $443,500, or 80%, were compensation and benefits to employees. ¹³

2020 donors include Health Forward Foundation, the Sherman Family Foundation, and the Shumaker Family Foundation. ¹ Health Forward Foundation is a left-leaning health care policy advocacy organization. ¹⁴ The Shumaker Family Foundation is a left-of-center private foundation that provides grants to social justice causes that focus on equitable distribution of wealth, privilege, and opportunities. ¹⁵

Leadership

Annette Lantz-Simmons became executive director of the Center for Conflict Resolution in 2012. Previously she was founder of the Kansas City, Missouri School District Restorative Justice Coalition and a mediator and conflict coach. ¹⁶

Sister Rose Mclarney is board chair for CCR. Mclarney is on the boards of Jerusalem Farm, Journey to New Life, St. Teresa Academy, and Missouri Restorative Justice Coalition. ¹⁷ Previously she was executive director of the Center for Women in Transition ¹⁸ which focused on supporting women re-entering the community from the prison system. ¹⁹ She is also a founding member of the Missouri Restorative Justice Coalition. ¹⁸