Pasadena, Calif. – The JAMS Foundation’s Third Annual Warren Knight Award will be presented to the Western Justice Center Foundation, along with a $25,000 grant. The award recognizes WJC for its Alternative Dispute Resolution programs, including efforts to teach peer mediation skills, assist police community mediation and support conflict resolution trainings. The WJC will receive its award at the ABA Dispute Resolution Conference in Denver, Colo. on April 15 during the Friday Awards Luncheon.

“The WJC’s efforts to promote peaceful conflict resolution has impacted thousands and is very admirable,” said Judge Knight. “Their mission is in line with organizations that JAMS values and we’re proud to provide them this grant and look forward to continued impressive results.”

“I am grateful for the support and recognition that JAMS has provided to the WJC,” said Angela Oh, Esq., executive director of the WJC. “While we’ve made excellent strides to combat bullying and violence in the past 25 years, there’s still much more to do and this grant will help move us forward.”

“The conflict prevention skills that WJC teaches is incredibly important and worthy of our attention,” said Chris Poole, JAMS president and CEO. “JAMS is thrilled to support WJC in its quest to expand conflict resolution programs.”

The mission of the WJC is to increase the opportunity for peaceful conflict resolution and displace the power of violence in society. Created in 1985 and based in Pasadena, Calif., the WJC designs plans for schools, community groups who work with youth, law enforcement, workplaces, prisons, courts and any other place where people recognize the value of knowing and practicing the skills of conflict transformation. These skills include mediation, negotiation, facilitation of dialogue and creative expression about conflict.

Hon. H. Warren Knight (Ret.) is the founder of JAMS, which he created in January 1979. Judge Knight is considered a pioneer in the ADR and legal communities and was instrumental in introducing and furthering ADR, including mediation and arbitration, within the legal community in California and throughout the United States.

About the JAMS Foundation (www.jamsfoundation.org)
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