Cleveland Mediation Center and FrontLine Merger

 CONTACT:Corrie Taylor, Director of Developmentb: 216-274-3492 or c: 216-385-8083Corrie.taylor@frontlineservice.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEAGENCIES MERGE TO CREATE A MORE EFFICENT NETWORK OF ASSISTANCE FOR CLEVELAND’S MOST VULNERABLE.(February 20, 2018, Cleveland) FrontLine Service, Cuyahoga County’s largest provider of services to help the homeless and other vulnerable populations, has merged with the Cleveland Mediation Center (CMC), a community mediation center that has been resolving disputes and training community members in conflict resolution and mediation in Northeast Ohio since 1981. The merger is an ideal fit as Frontline and CMC have been partnering for many years in homeless programming, including the collaboration between CMC’s shelter diversion program and the FrontLine run Coordinated Intake.The agencies share great similarity in the populations served, organizational culture, and the emphasis on the provision of services with dignity, respect and empowerment of those served.  This merger has created greater opportunities for both organizations and for the community at-large. Because of the breadth of services provided by FrontLine, CMC will have greater access to those in the community who are struggling with housing instability, further increasing homeless diversion efforts and FrontLine clients will have access to mediation services to address conflicts with neighbors, family members and landlords.Executive Director of FrontLine Service, Susan Neth, has said “The merger of FrontLine and CMC allows us to not only continue to provide the mediation and training services which are so critical to the greater Cleveland community but to investigate and initiate expansion of these core services.  Danielle Cosgrove, who previously worked at CMC from 2006-2013, was hired to serve as the Director of Cleveland Mediation Center, and immediately began taking steps to stabilize and then plan for future growth of CMC.”“I am excited to be back at CMC and leading us through this important phase of our work. Over the course of the 2018, we exploring partnerships with other area organizations to expand our mediation and training services beyond to those who are struggling with potential homelessness." Director of CMC, Danielle Cosgrove said.In addition to the combination of resources and expertise, CMC has moved locations to be closer and more efficiently connected to FrontLine Service. Now located at 1701 Payne Ave. in downtown Cleveland, CMC is able to continue its mission of helping those in need through their various mediation services.  With their combined efforts, these formerly separate institutions will be able to create a lasting partnership and legacy that will allow them to continue their respective missions of care and support for some of the most vulnerable citizens of the Cleveland area.___________________________________________________________________________FrontLine Service is a private non-profit community organization that provides mental health, substance use, and supportive services to more than 23,000 adults and children annually.  The agency serves the most vulnerable members of Cuyahoga County: those who are homeless, individuals with severe mental illness and substance use disorders, and adults and children who have experienced crisis and trauma. FrontLine has been serving people who are homeless in Cuyahoga County for 30 years.  Today, the agency has a comprehensive homeless housing continuum which includes assertive homeless outreach services, a centralized coordinated intake for homeless people seeking shelter and housing, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, employment services, case management, and psychiatric services, along with supportive services for the county’s Housing First Initiative, which provides permanent supportive housing to chronically homeless, disabled individuals.Cleveland Mediation Center is a community mediation center providing services to Northeast Ohio for 37 years. CMC promotes just and peaceful community in Northeast Ohio by honoring all people, building their capacity to act, and facilitating opportunities for them to engage in conflict constructively. They fulfill their mission by continuing their work in the community to resolve conflicts between neighbors, landlords and tenants, and family members, provide mediation services in court settings, mediate at area shelters to ensure residents are discharged to permanent housing, and train community members in mediation and conflict resolution skills.

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