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JAMS Foundation Approves Seven New Grants

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September 15, 2008

Wide Range of Programs Gain Boost From JAMS’ Philanthropic Arm

Irvine, CA - The non-profit JAMS Foundation announced today that it will provide grants to seven programs, each of which uses alternative dispute resolution in innovative ways to promote and advance the settlement of conflict. The money will be distributed by the foundation in the form of four Foundation Grants, which provide financial support up to $50,000 for ADR-programs or initiatives, and three Opportunity Grants, which award up to $10,000 for smaller scale and more localized projects.

“The need for education and innovation in resolving conflicts continues to grow. The JAMS Foundation is pleased to lead the way in funding programs and initiatives that promote the effective use of alternative dispute resolution,” said Jay Folberg, Executive Director of the Foundation. “These grants will enable new and creative programs in their effort to address conflicts with smart, promising methods. Each of these initiatives is important to the communities served. The JAMS Foundation is proud to support them.”

The JAMS Foundation will provide Foundation Grants to the following initiatives:

  • Workable Peace Teachers DVD Guide and Website (Cambridge, MA). The JAMS Foundation will provide $50,000 to develop a training DVD preparing educators to teach conflict management and dispute resolution using the Workable Peace curriculum created by the Consensus Building Institute. The curriculum integrates conflict resolution training into existing history, social studies, and humanities curricula.
  • Make Talk Work International Video Competition (New York, NY). Building on the success of three prior JAMS Foundation grants, this $40,000 award will fund the second year of a video competition that solicits one minute videos offering reminders about the need to utilize peaceful and constructive ways of handling our differences. The contest is run by the CUNY Dispute Resolution Consortium at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and the winning submissions are featured on YouTube.
  • Inter-Governmental Dispute Resolution Project (Sacramento, CA). Funded by $44,000 for the first of a proposed two year project. This educational and promotional campaign encourages and develops public sector demand for the mediation of inter-governmental disputes. Operated by the Institute for Local Government, this California pilot program will serve as a model for local governments and public entities nationally.
  • Peace Navigator (Indianapolis, IN). $20,000 has been awarded to develop and launch an innovative, computer-based and DVD learning tool created by the Peace Learning Center. Centered on live action video, animation and gaming, the product will provide peacemaking and conflict resolution education to children aged seven to 12 in a manner designed to be interactive, accessible and fun.

The JAMS Foundation has also awarded $10,000 Opportunity Grants for these three initiatives:

  • Prisoner Re-entry Mediation Program (Glen Burnie, MD). This pilot program from Community Mediation Maryland will help inmates and their families develop a mutually agreeable plan for re-entry into the family and community before the inmate is released.
  • Intercultural Peacemaking Project for Youth (Jamaica, NY). Run by Community Mediation Services, this program provides culturally diverse youth with conflict resolution training, with the goal to have the program’s students then educate their peers.
  • Conflict Resolution Story Books (Bellevue, WA). This grant will enable the CRU Research Institute, to develop and produce a series of animal stories teaching conflict resolution, cultural awareness and anti-bullying to pre-school through first grade children.

About the JAMS Foundation
The non-profit JAMS Foundation is the largest private provider of ADR-related grants in the world. The Foundation was established in 2002 by JAMS, The Resolution Experts, the nation’s premier provider of alternative dispute resolution services, and is funded by JAMS mediators, arbitrators and employee associates who contribute a percentage of their income. The JAMS Foundation has provided over $2 million in grant funding since its inception. www.jamsfoundation.org.

Founded in 1979, JAMS has Resolution Centers nationwide. JAMS and its more than 200 full-time mediators and arbitrators are responsible for resolving thousands of the nation's most important cases. JAMS may be reached at 800-352-5267.