A Short History of NSCM

By Leah Shriro (2004)

North Shore Community Mediation (NSCM) has its roots in the Salem Mediation Program, which began in 1979 and was housed in the Salem District Court building. At that time the Executive Director held a probation position at the court. Initially mediators, who had been trained in basic mediation skills, resolved either minor criminal cases or small claims cases referred by the judges at the Salem District Court. In 1983, the program expanded to help resolve dispute in families, usually involving adolescents and other family members. The Salem Mediation Program continued for another ten years after the director’s probation position was terminated. The Salem Mediation Program model has remained the standard today.

When the state monies that supported the Salem Mediation program dried up, several dedicated mediators established a self-governing organization that was no longer housed in the court but worked to expand mediation services into the community. In 1994, North Shore Community Mediation was incorporated as a non-profit organization. Currently 66 mediators belong to NSCM; some have been involved since incorporation, some go back to the Salem Mediation Program.

From 1994 to 1999, volunteer mediators alone kept the organization running. They primarily mediated small claims disputes referred by the Salem District Court. However, these dedicated individuals also staffed the office, case-coordinated referrals, trained new mediators, raised funds and brought in new members. In 1996 NSCM began to train students in local high schools to become peer mediators. In 1999 the Board of Directors hired the first staff member to work a few hours a week. Since then the position has grown into a part-time Executive Director. Member mediators and student interns assist with office operations.

Also in 1999, the NSCM Board of Directors expanded to include its own parent/child mediation service. The program received a $10,000 matching grant from the Massachusetts Bar Foundation to start this initiative. Grants and contributions from the local community equaled the grant money. However, the main source of income remained fees from training courses in basic mediation given by volunteers from NSCM. Paid community cases, such as neighbors who wanted to resolve a dispute out of court, were also beginning to trickle in. NSCM’s work was growing!

In 2000, the Essex County Juvenile Courts in Salem and Lynn began to make referrals to NSCM. Mediators who conducted these parent/child mediations receive specialized training to handle the often-emotional cases. In recent years the Program has also expanded in other areas and currently receives referrals for small claims cases from Peabody and Salem District Courts. It can also boast a successful peer mediation program started eight years ago, which is funded by the schools themselves as well as from grants.

NSCM has provided training to students and staff from the Beverly, Hamilton-Wenham, Bishop Fenwick, North Shore Vocational, Swampscott, and Triton-Regional high schools. NSCM also provides mediation support and consultation services to school districts. Last year grant funding made it possible to hire a part-time peer mediation coordinator and assistant coordinator to continue to expand peer mediation in schools on the North Shore.

Potential loss of grant money and State funding is always a concern to organizations such as NSCM. A 10th Anniversary Gala was held to celebrate the history of NSCM and its development over this period. However, it also marked the start of major fundraising plans to support the growing needs of communities across the North Shore.

Board of Directors | Staff | Statement of Confidentiality | Mission Statement | A Short History