May 2, 2005

MEDFORD, Ore. – Mediation Works received a $5,000 PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning grant to help expand its popular Schools Conflict Resolution Program. As Pacific Power’s charitable arm, the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learningsupports organizations that emphasize education.

The Schools Program enable youth to make wiser choices, learn problem-solving techniques, and use mediation skills to resolve disputes among their peers.

“With the increase in violence and bullying in schools, learning these skills takes on a new urgency,” said Mary Miller, executive director of Mediation Works. “By learning mediation, youth become better communicators and problem-solvers. These are sustainable, life-long skills.”

The course contains three major segments: conflict resolution and communication skill-building, bullying and harassment prevention, and peer mediation programs. Mediation Works is a community dispute resolution center serving southern Oregon. It proposes offering six conflict resolution and skill building trainings, establishing peer mediation programs in six different schools and delivering 18 video-based bullying and harassment trainings.

“Education is the best prevention for many health and social ills,” said Monte Mendenhall, regional community manager for Pacific Power. “These funds will help provide quality educational programs and social services for teens in Southern Oregon.”

Media inquiries: newsdesk@pacificorp.com