In 1983, the Calvin College and Grand Rapids Community College Consortium envisioned a dispute resolution center in the Grand Rapids and Kent County area. In order to make this vision a reality, the Consortium worked closely with an Advisory Committee that included local judges, members of the local bar association, representatives of neighborhood associations, the Grand Rapids Police Department, and other agencies of the Criminal Justice System. The original concept for the Center was proposed by Reverend Vernon Hoffman and Judge Louis Simhauser. With a concept in mind, the Consortium performed all of the educational endeavors necessary to research, develop, launch, and institutionalize the project.

Finally, in August 1986, the Center was launched with funding from the Grand Rapids Foundation, Central Reformed Church, and other area churches. Other contributions included individual donations and organization donations. In 1988, the Michigan Legislature passed the Community Dispute Resolution Act, which created a system of funding based mediation services for Michigan's courts. The Center's services are sustained by this funding as well as other grants, service fees, and donations.

When the Center first opened, the volunteer mediators were trained by an expert team from the Neighborhood Justice Center of Atlanta. Upon the completion of the first mediator training, the Center opened for clients in November 1986. The Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan was the first community mediation center in Michigan.

The Center is governed by a Board of Directors. Through the many things that have changed over the years, the Center's committed staff and fantastic volunteers continue to provide the community with high quality dispute resolution services.