NEW:   Read NCRC's 25th Anniversary Report "1983-2008 Finding Solutions For 25 Years" (13 mb PDF file)

 

1983: Golden Hill Mediation Center opens as a pilot community mediation project of University of San Diego (USD) Law Center and San Diego County Bar Association that is funded by The Weingart Foundation. Two staff members and 12 volunteer mediators.

1984: Pilot project opens second center, Mira Mesa/Scripps Ranch. Two staff members and 20 volunteer mediators.

1986: San Diego Youth & Community Services (SDYCS) becomes administrative umbrella in spin-off from USD.

1987: Golden Hill and Mira Mesa/Scripps Ranch Mediation Centers merge under new name, Community Mediation of San Diego. Relocate to Laurel Street near Balboa Park. Liz O’Brien, former director of Golden Hill Center becomes executive director.

1989: Community Mediation of San Diego awarded $300,000, first contract given in San Diego under California Dispute Resolutions Act (DRPA). Staff grows from 4 to 12, volunteer mediator corps from 50 to 150.

1990: Community Mediation of San Diego relocates to Mission Brewery on Washington Street, incorporates as San Diego Mediation Center (SDMC), independent 501 (c) 3, no longer under SDYCS umbrella. Liz O’Brien becomes president.

1994: SDMC relocates downtown to 625 Broadway, current main office.

1996: Expanded County contract awarded to SDMC to open 3 neighborhood offices, Community Justice Programs, in South Bay, El Cajon, and Central San Diego. The Central Office closed in 2004 due to funding cutbacks.

2002: Liz O’Brien, president, resigns after 17 years leading the organization. Former Board chair Jerry L. Harris becomes acting president.

2003: Steven P. Dinkin becomes new president. Formerly, director of Community Dispute Resolution Center of the Center for Dispute Settlement in Washington, D.C.

2004: San Diego Mediation Center becomes National Conflict Resolution Center.