Help MCRC Transform & Raise $20,000

The Mediation and Conflict Resolution Center at HCC (MCRC at HCC) is a community organization of over 120 trained volunteer-mediators providing education, training, and services in conflict resolution in Howard County, Maryland.  Among other things, we offer: 

·         Community mediation
·         Restorative dialogues and reflections
·         School circles
·         Prisoner re-entry mediation
·         Group facilitation services 
·         Training and professional development in conflict resolution

MCRC at HCC provides our services, free of charge, to:

·         Howard County residents
·         Howard County Department of Juvenile Services
·         Howard County School System
·         Howard County Detention Center
·         Howard County Police Department
·         State and local courts
·         Community organizations

MCRC at HCC also provides community residents a platform through which they can volunteer, serve, and strengthen our community, especially when dealing with difficult issues in troubling times. 

Over the past 20 years since its founding, MCRC has directly served thousands of Howard County residents and impacted the lives of thousands more. Now, we need YOUR help.

After 15 years serving the community as a part of Howard Community College, HCC has concluded that MCRC at HCC is no longer an integral part of its educational mission. HCC will cease all funding on July 1, 2017.  

Despite this bump in the road, MCRC is a vital community resource and will continue!  

Groups of MCRC volunteers have been meeting for the last five months to plan our future. During this short period of time, we have formed a new nonprofit corporation (Mediation and Conflict Resolution Center, Inc.); organized a board of directors who are busy planning and transitioning programs from HCC to the new MCRC; begun applying for 501(c)(3) status; identified office space at the new Howard County Nonprofit Center; and started seeking grants and funding from private and public grant foundations, including the Howard County Government.

How can you help?

Please contribute to our GoFundMe campaign to make sure we will be ready to go on or before July 1, 2017. Your contributions will be used for incorporation and 501(c)(3) filings; organization and volunteer insurance; first month's rent; office equipment (computers, phones, printers); online services (like CaseLoadManager and Mediate.com); office supplies; website design and hosting; printed and promotional materials; professional services (accountant, attorneys); and wages for staff.

Will you please help us take these first steps by donating even a few dollars today?  Every donation in any amount will be meaningful to MCRC and the Howard County community we serve.  Additionally, some grants consider volunteer financial contributions in determining grant awards-- grantors want to see a robust commitment of volunteers. Accordingly, we want as many volunteers as possible to donate.

Please also consider sharing the link to our campaign https://www.gofundme.com/mcrc2017 on all your social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn). Please help us spread the word and prepare for success!

Thank you very much for your consideration.