About | Community Mediation Services

About Us

Guided by our tagline, “The Courage to Come Together,” Community Mediation Services (CMS) empowers individuals to have a voice in the matters most important to them. We believe that when people are given the space, support, and structure to be heard, they are capable of reaching thoughtful, lasting solutions — not only resolving conflict, but strengthening the relationships that move forward beyond it.

Our Mission

"Empowering individuals and communities to resolve conflicts in a confidential, affordable, and respectful manner."

At Community Mediation Services, our mission comes to life through the work we do each day.

Empowering Voice & Resolution: We create space for individuals and families to engage in respectful dialogue, helping them navigate conflict constructively and avoid the financial, emotional, and relational strain of prolonged legal battles.

Preserving Relationships: We prioritize the matters that mean the most to those we serve — particularly family and court-related conflicts — where preserving relationships is as vital as reaching an agreement. Even when full resolution is not achieved, the opportunity to be heard and understood holds lasting value.

Volunteer-Led Community Impact: We recruit, train, and support highly skilled volunteer mediators who serve as neutral, compassionate facilitators — guiding conversations with professionalism, care, and respect for all voices.

Expanding Access to Justice: We are committed to ensuring mediation remains accessible and affordable so that every individual, regardless of financial circumstance or geographic location, has a pathway to dialogue, understanding, and informed decision-making.

Our Impact

Established in 1994 and celebrating 32 years of service in 2026, CMS serves 13 Counties, a vast rural region spanning more than 18,328 square miles. In communities where timely and affordable access to justice can be limited, mediation provides an essential pathway — one that is confidential, respectful, and centered on the needs of the people involved.

Over the years, we have listened closely to our communities and prioritized the matters that carry the greatest long-term impact. Many of the cases we serve involve family and court-related conflicts — situations where the outcome is important, but the ongoing relationship between the parties matters just as much. By creating space for constructive dialogue, CMS helps individuals navigate difficult conversations around parenting time, custody, family transitions, and other court-referred matters with dignity and care.

Our work is made possible through the dedication of our highly trained volunteer mediators, who bring professionalism, neutrality, and compassion to each case. Their commitment allows us to extend services across a large geographic area while maintaining high standards of quality and accessibility.

CMS also plays an active leadership role beyond direct service delivery. We participate in statewide committees, training initiatives, and collaborative efforts designed to strengthen mediation practice, court partnerships, and conflict resolution access throughout Michigan. As a pilot and anchor center in innovative service delivery — including online mediation expansion — we continue to evolve alongside the needs of the communities we serve.

Our impact is reflected not only in agreements reached, but in the experiences of those we serve. In 2025, mediation agreements achieved 100% compliance, and 76% of participants reported they would recommend CMS to friends or community members seeking solutions to conflict — a testament to the trust, respect, and empowerment built through the process.

At its heart, Community Mediation Services exists to ensure that every individual — regardless of geography, income, or circumstance — has the opportunity to be heard, to participate in decisions affecting their lives, and to move forward with clarity and confidence.

Our Approach

At Community Mediation Services, we believe conflict resolution is most meaningful when individuals feel heard, respected, and empowered to participate in decisions affecting their lives.

We prioritize the matters that mean the most to the people we serve — particularly family and court-related disputes where preserving relationships is as vital as reaching an agreement.

Through confidential mediation, structured dialogue, and highly trained volunteer facilitators, we create safe spaces for respectful conversation. Even in situations where full resolution is not possible, the opportunity to be heard and understood can shift outcomes, reduce harm, and support healthier paths forward.

Our work is grounded in the belief that access to dialogue is access to justice — regardless of geography, income, or circumstance.

Community Mediation Services fosters understanding and resolution through dialogue. Led by our Executive Director, who has over a decade of experience in conflict resolution, we aim to empower individuals and communities to resolve disputes amicably. Our dedicated team is committed to providing accessible mediation services that promote harmony and collaboration. We believe in the power of communication to transform conflicts into opportunities for growth and connection.

Annette Wells

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Annette Wells is an accomplished nonprofit leader, mediator, and trainer with nearly three decades of experience in nonprofit leadership and conflict resolution. She has served as Executive Director of Community Mediation Services for the past 14 years, overseeing mediation and restorative justice programs across 13 counties in Northern Michigan.

Beginning her journey as a volunteer mediator in 2004, Annette has become a respected leader in the field of alternative dispute resolution and community mediation. Her dedication to accessible and compassionate conflict resolution has earned her numerous honors, including the Honorable Robert E. Weiss Award, Governor’s Service Award Finalist recognition, and the Nanci S. Klein Award from the State Bar of Michigan ADR Section.

Annette provides mediator training throughout Michigan and frequently presents at judicial, nonprofit, and child welfare conferences on topics related to mediation, restorative practices, and community engagement. She also serves as an officer of the Michigan Community Mediation Association, where she advocates for innovative, respectful, and equitable mediation services that strengthen families and communities.

CLICK HERE to contact Annette

LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY | ANNETTE WELLS

“I believe conflict, when approached with courage, structure, and a bit of hope, can become a catalyst for understanding rather than division. My role is to ensure every individual has the space to be heard, to engage in respectful dialogue, and to shape outcomes that honor both agreement and relationship, recognizing that even when resolution is not reached, understanding still holds value.”