WESTERN JUSTICE CENTER
ANNUAL GALA
CHANGE. REI M A GINE
B E T HE
SCH O O L S .
Program
WELCOME REMARKS
Jeffrey A. Wortman, Esq.
WJC Board President
EMCEE
Danny Romero
ABC7 Eyewitness News Meteorologist
A VISION FOR PEACEBUILDING
Elissa D. Barrett, Esq.
WJC Executive Director
MOVEMENT BUILDER AWARD
Dr. José A. Gómez
Superintendent/President, Pasadena City College
Presented by Alton Wang, PCC Board President
DOROTHY W. NELSON PEACEMAKERS AWARD
Eliot Arts Magnet Academy & McKinley School of the Arts Pasadena Unified School District
Received by Principals Ms. Lanisha Mckenzie & Dr. Maria Toliver
Presented by PUSD School Board President Jennifer Hall Lee & Assistant Superintendent Dr. Julianne Reynoso
MOMENT OF GIVING
CHAMPION OF JUSTICE AWARD
Honorable Richard A. Paez
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Presented by Lisa Paez, Esq.
CLOSING REMARKS
Carri B. Maas & W. Allan Edmiston
Empower 2025 Co-Chairs
ABOUT WJC OUR IMPACT
Western Justice Center began in 1987 as a hub for mediation and dialogue and has grown into the largest K–12 Conflict Resolution Education provider in Los Angeles County. We put students in the driver’s seat at their schools, helping them own their power as leaders and reimagine classrooms as peacebuilding spaces.
Through student-led peer mediation and dialogue, educator training and our whole-school restorative approach, we help schools replace zero-tolerance discipline with inclusive practices that improve academic achievement, strengthen relationships and build a culture of trust and belonging for every student.
Western Justice Center equips K–12 students and educators with restorative practices to improve academic achievement, reduce suspension rates and strengthen school safety. Our whole-school approach shifts school culture from exclusion to inclusion and builds a culture of trust and belonging for every student.
By empowering student voice and leadership, we create what we call the Ripple Effect. When students learn to manage conflict, reduce violence, and foster dialogue they build inclusive communities in and beyond the classroom. The same Ripple Effect occurs among educators as they strengthen their conflict resolution capacity and model restorative practices schoolwide.
25,000+
YOUTH IMPACTED AT 40+ SCHOOLS ACROSS THE REGION
STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS TRAINED AND MOBILIZED IN THE LAST THREE YEARS 4,000+
DROP OF CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM FROM 30% TO 6% IN THREE YEARS
INCREASE OF GRADES A-C 24% 8%
*Source: Research conducted by Dr. Dayna Mitchell, Professor of Educational Leadership, Cal Poly Pomona
WHAT WE DO
SCHOOL TOOLS
WJC’s online resource hub offers educators conflict resolution lesson plans, videos and proven strategies to build skills, strengthen school climate and support program implementation.
A HOME FOR NONPROFITS
WJC’s historic Pasadena campus is home to nearly 20 local nonprofits. WJC offers affordable space and meeting space, shared resources, and mutual support. Our main building, The Maxwell House, serves as a community center that strengthens the region.
YOUTH
PEACEBUILDING SUMMIT
Our annual Peer Mediation Invitational (PMI) brings students, educators, school staff, and volunteer mentors together from across LA County. It is an opportunity to sharpen their conflict resolution skills, build connections and empower young people to drive changes in school culture and climate on their campuses.
COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS
We partner long-term with school districts to embed a whole-school approach to conflict resolution. By engaging students, educators, and families in restorative practices and centering youth voice, we strengthen school culture and build skills that ripple outward to create lasting community impact.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION TRAINING
We provide ongoing coaching and guidance for educators, counselors, administrators, parents and other adults who support youth. Our core trainings includes the ABCs of Conflict, Mediation Bootcamp, and the Restorative Circles Workshop, building skills and systems that sustain conflict resolution long-term.
HOME FOR NONPROFITS
ABOUT THE CAMPUS
Western Justice Center’s four-building historic Pasadena Campus, anchored by The Maxwell House — serves as a hub for nonprofit and community activity. Home to nearly 20 local organizations, the Campus provides affordable office space, shared resources, and a supportive environment.
Beyond day-to-day nonprofit programming, our Campus serves as a true community center. At The Maxwell House, we provide space for staff meetings, community trainings, board retreats, student graduation ceremonies, local fundraising events and more.
AN ANCHOR IN TIMES OF NEED
When disaster struck during the Eaton Fire in January 2025, WJC became a regional anchor. We opened The Maxwell House free of charge to displaced organizations, offering meeting rooms, Wi-Fi, and kitchen facilities so essential services could continue without interruption. We also provided free rent and flexible lease arrangements to support nonprofits facing financial strain.
To this day, the Campus continues to serve as a Hub for fire recovery related activities, including public hearings, free legal clinics, and community wellness events.
In moments of celebration and in times of crisis, WJC’s Campus strengthens Pasadena and the surrounding communities by remaining a dependable home for connection, collaboration, and resilience.
CELBRATE IN STYLE. MAKE AN IMPACT.
Are you part of a board searching for meeting space? Maybe you need a location for a corporate retreat? Are you planning a wedding, anniversary, or quinceanera? The answer is The Maxwell House.
PASADENA’S HIDDEN GEM
Built in 1929, this historic landmark blends timeless character with modern convenience. Soaring ceilings, sunlit rooms, and a setting that makes every gathering memorable. Perfect for weddings, fundraisers, retreats, board meetings, and community celebrations.
MORE THAN A VENUE
When you host your event at The Maxwell House, you are supporting our mission. Every rental funds conflict resolution education across LA County and helps sustain our Nonprofit Campus.
READY TO BOOK?
Dates are filling fast. Reserve your space today.
LEARN MORE
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Hon. Nicholas F. Daum Board Chair The Superior Court of California County of Los Angeles
Jeffrey A. Wortman, Esq. † Board President Seyfarth Shaw, LLP
Lois D. Thompson, Esq. † Board Vice-President Proskauer Rose, LLP
Diane L. McGimsey, Esq. Board Treasurer Chair, Finance & Operations Sullivan & Cromwell, LLP
W. Allan Edmiston, Esq. † Board Secretary Chair, External Engagement Loeb & Loeb, LLP
Michael J. Wallace * † Chair, Audit Committee HKA Global, LLC
Ryan K. Yagura, Esq. † Chair, Board Development O’Melveny & Myers, LLP
Gordon A. Goldsmith, Esq. † At-Large Member
Shari M. Wollman, Esq. At-Large Member Mattel, Inc.
Elissa D. Barrett, JD WJC, Executive Director Ex-Officio
WJC LEADERSHIP
BOARD MEMBERS
Tanya M. Acker, Esq.
Judge on Tribunal Justice, Lawyer and Host of The Tanya Acker Show
Hon. André Birotte, Jr.
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Alfred Fraijo, Jr., Esq. Founder & CEO Somos Group
José A. Gómez, Ph.D. * † Superintendent/President Pasadena City College
Eugene M. Holmes, Esq. The Walt Disney Company
Kayla K. Horacek, Esq. † Hahn & Hahn
Jillian N. London, Esq. † Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP
Hon. Jennifer T. Lum (Ret.) † Caltech
Carri B. Maas, Esq. Kaiser Permanente
Emily L. Murray, Esq. Allen Matkins, LLP
Hon. Dorothy W. Nelson ** Founder and Chair Emerita
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Hon. Jacqueline H. Nguyen †
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Malikah Nu’Man, Ed.D. Program Coordinator, Sequoia William S. Hart Union High School District
Hon. Fernando M. Olguin ** U.S. District Court Central District of California
Gregory N. Pimstone, Esq. Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP
Hon. Richard A. Paez ** U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Hon. Barry Russell ** U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California
Jordan D. Segall, Esq. † Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP
Hon. Suzanne H. Segal (Ret.) Signature Resolution
Hon. Holly A. Thomas U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Crystal Williams, MDR White & Williams ADR, LLC
Michael E. Williams, Esq. † Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan
Kerry Garvis Wright, Esq. Glaser Weil, LLP
Alexander C.K. Wyman, Esq. † Latham & Watkins, LLP
EMPOWER CO-CHAIRS
W. Allan Edmiston, Esq. †
Carri B. Maas, Esq.
EMPOWER COMMITTEE
Gordon A. Goldsmith, Esq. †
Kayla K. Horacek, Esq.
Gregory N. Pimstone, Esq.
Jordan D. Segall, Esq. †
Michael E. Williams, Esq.
Shari M. Wollman, Esq.
Kerry Garvis Wright, Esq.
Alexander C.K. Wyman, Esq.
HONORARY CO-CHAIRS
Frank Cárdenas
Interim Executive Director
Pasadena City College Foundation
Alfred Fraijo, Jr., Esq.
Founder & CEO, Somos Group
PROGRAM ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Chair, Crystal Williams, MDR
Hon. Songhai Armstead (Ret.)
Claudia Brown Coulter, MDR
Rafael González
Gina Miller, MBA
Dayna Mitchell, Ed.D.
Malikah Nu’man, Ed.D.
Shaphan Roberts, Ph.D.
Terrence Roberts, Ph.D.
Heather DeWeese Schon, MDR
Shadeequa Smith, JD MDR
MaryAnn Szyskowski
Yvette Valdez
Carri B. Maas, Esq.
Empower Co-Chair
WJC Board Member
W. Allan Edmiston, Esq.
Empower Co-Chair
WJC Board Member
Chair and Secretary, External Engagement
CO-CHAIRS
Welcome to Empower 2025!
Empower isn’t just an event – it’s a movement. And we’re building it together.
Western Justice Center empowers young people by teaching them the tools of conflict resolution. Conflict resolution education is like preventative health care—it’s an investment in our collective well-being, and it prevents problems from becoming crises.
Tonight, we celebrate resilience, student voice, and community. The stories you’ll hear exemplify the power of our work to transform lives and build community. Through restorative circles and peer mediation, we’re bridging differences. We’re building pathways to healing. We’re developing student leaders. We’re breaking the school-toprison pipeline. We’re fostering safe communities. We’re promoting civic engagement. We’re building workplace readiness. And we’re inspiring the students of today, to be the leaders of tomorrow.
As always, the movement depends on you. You are the heartbeat of WJC, and we are deeply grateful for your continued participation and support. We look forward to an inspiring evening and to carrying on our critical work.
Carri B. Maas, Esq.
Empower Co-Chair
WJC Board Member
W. Allan Edmiston, Esq.
Empower 2025 Co-Chair
WJC Board Member
Chair and Secretary, External Engagement
Jeffrey A. Wortman Board President
Elissa D. Barrett, JD Executive Director
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & BOARD PRESIDENT
Dear Friends,
Thank you for joining us tonight at the 2025 Empower Gala, where we celebrate resilience, leadership and the power of community. Together we carry forward the vision of our founder, Judge Dorothy W. Nelson, to create a more just and peaceful society.
Western Justice Center (WJC) was founded to advance peace and justice by bringing conflict resolution education into schools and communities. Your support helps WJC to transform schools by engaging in restorative practices and teaching conflict resolution skills so that students feel supported, educators gain more time for learning and communities begin to heal.
In partnership with districts across Los Angeles County, we are reimagining school cultures rooted in trust, belonging and youth leadership. Thousands of students and educators are now equipped with the skills to navigate conflict, repair harm and strengthen their communities.
At the heart of this change is our whole-school approach. It boosts achievement, reduces suspensions and builds inclusive environments. By fostering youth leadership, we create the Ripple Effect—expanding access to conflict resolution so schools and communities alike can thrive.
One moment that captures this spirit came during a community circle at our Peer Mediation Invitational. A young student was asked what animal he would want to be. He answered, “I would be a lion, because then nobody would mess with me.” That reflection showed both his challenges and his hope. Our work ensures every young person has the chance to build the skills and community that allow them to become that lion: resilient, confident and ready to lead.
This evening we recognize Eliot Arts Magnet Academy and McKinley School of the Arts, recipients of the Dorothy W. Nelson Peacemakers Award. Long before the devastation of the Eaton Fire, they partnered with WJC to create space for dialogue and collaboration. When crisis came, students and staff drew on restorative practices to listen, share and move forward together.
We also honor Dr. José A. Gómez, Superintendent/President of Pasadena City College and this year’s Movement Builder, whose leadership has created lasting pathways for young people overcoming systemic barriers. And we celebrate the Honorable Judge Richard A. Paez, Champion of Justice, who has spent more than four decades defending civil rights and expanding access to justice.
These honorees embody the qualities our vision calls us to cultivate: courage, collaboration and community stewardship. They inspire us to deepen partnerships, empower the next generation and build lasting change.
We hope tonight leaves you inspired to join us in reimagining schools as places where every student can thrive. Together
Jeffrey A. Wortman
Board President
Elissa D. Barrett, JD Executive Director
DOROTHY W. NELSON PEACEMAKERS AWARD
Eliot Arts Magnet Academy and McKinley School of the Arts
Pasadena Unified School District
The Western Justice Center is proud to present the Dorothy W. Nelson Peacemakers Award to Eliot Arts Magnet Academy and McKinley School of the Arts in the Pasadena Unified School District. This award recognizes schools and educators who are building cultures of peace, justice, inclusion, and equity through mediation and restorative practices.
Peacemakers are courageous, collaborative, visionary, empathetic, and determined. In the spirit of our founder Judge Dorothy W. Nelson, this award honors those who bring a mediator’s mindset and a deep commitment to justice into their school communities.
This year’s honorees embody resilience and community leadership. When the Eaton Fire destroyed the Eliot campus, students and educators were forced to relocate and share space at McKinley. In the midst of this disruption, both schools leaned on conflict resolution education and restorative practices that have been woven through their partnership WJC. By using peer mediation and circles, they navigated loss, built belonging, and created a model of how schools can heal together.
At WJC, we believe lasting change begins in our schools. By trusting young people with conflict resolution education and restorative tools, we are laying the foundation of peacebuilding.
Congratulations to Eliot Arts Magnet Academy and McKinley School of the Arts, our 2025 Peacemakers.
MOVEMENT BUILDER AWARD
Dr. José A. Gómez
Superintendent/President, Pasadena City College
This year, Western Justice Center introduces the Movement Builder Award, recognizing a leader whose vision, courage, and collaboration have created lasting impact in our schools and communities. It is only fitting that the first recipient is Dr. José A. Gómez.
When the fires devastated Pasadena, Altadena, and the greater region, Dr. Gómez mobilized Pasadena City College as a hub for recovery. He opened PCC as a shelter for more than 670 students and 100 employees, established a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, and coordinated relief with PUSD, YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, Rotary Club of Pasadena, and Pasadena Humane Society. He also ensured access to childcare, mental health support, and insurance workshops for families in need.
As a higher education leader at Cal State LA and PCC, Dr. Gómez has championed equity and innovation. He launched California’s first bachelor’s degree program inside a state prison, created Cal State LA BioSpace to open pathways in entrepreneurship, and expanded access through the downtown LA campus. At PCC, he strengthened support for veterans, first-generation students, and formerly incarcerated individuals through programs like CORE.
Dr. Gómez has also been a driving force in restorative justice and conflict resolution. As a board member and past president of the Western Justice Center Foundation, he has promoted conflict resolution education across schools and communities. His leadership reflects a belief in healing over punishment, and in building systems that restore dignity and belonging.
For his extraordinary vision and commitment to justice, education, and community resilience,Western Justice Center proudly recognizes Dr. José A. Gómez with the inaugural Movement Builder Award.
CHAMPION OF JUSTICE AWARD
Honorable Richard A. Paez
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Western Justice Center is honored to present the Champion of Justice Award to the Honorable Judge Richard A. Paez, whose more than 50 years in the legal profession have been guided by an unwavering commitment to fairness, dignity, and equal rights.
Judge Paez began his career as a staff attorney with California Rural Legal Assistance, the Western Center on Law and Poverty, and the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, where he worked to ensure underserved communities had access to justice and their voices could be heard. In 1994, President Bill Clinton nominated him to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, and in 2000 he was elevated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. His judicial service has been marked by rulings that reflect his belief that the law must be applied evenly and that every person deserves to be treated with fairness and respect.
In 2003, Judge Paez returned to the nonprofit sector when Judge Dorothy Nelson invited him to join the board of Western Justice Center. Serving alongside judicial colleagues such as Judge Terry Hatter, Judge Raymond Fisher, and Judge Jacqueline Nguyen, he helped advance WJC’s mission of dialogue, mediation, and conflict resolution. Judge Paez has consistently championed conflict resolution education as a way to equip young people with skills for empathy, cooperation, and problem-solving—skills that not only prevent harm in schools but also strengthen democracy itself.
Western Justice Center is proud to honor Judge Richard A. Paez with the Champion of Justice Award for his extraordinary service to the courts, his steadfast belief in equity, and his enduring contributions to building a more just and compassionate society.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND FUNDERS
Your support helps Western Justice Center expand conflict resolution education, strengthen school communities, sustain our Nonprofit Campus, and empower the next generation of peacebuilders.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
FUNDERS
EMERALD
GOLD
Amazon
Greenberg Traurig
Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland LLP
José & Catherine Gómez
Kaiser Permanente
Kendall Brill & Kelly LLP
Mattel, Inc.
Molly Munger & Steve English
Charitable Fund
Seyfarth Shaw
Sullivan & Cromwell
Venable LLP
DIAMOND
PLATINUM
Waymaker LLC
SILVER
Analysis Group, Inc.
Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo
Barbara & David Voron
Brad & Claire Brian
BRG
Groom Law Group
Hahn & Hahn
Hueston Hennigan LLP
Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir
Loeb & Loeb
Lois & Jim Thompson
Robert A. Meyer, Esq. - JAMS
Somos Group
The Walt Disney Company
Var Fox Yerganian from Judicate West
Westmount
BRONZE
Alternative Resolution Centers
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Amy Fisch Solomon, Esq.
Assemblyman Phillip Chen
Bird Marella
Buchalter
Cal State LA
Citibank/Citi - Global Wealth at Work
Coher ADR
Early Sullivan Wright
Goodwin Law
Jenner Block
Judicate West
Kepner Mediation LLC
King & Spalding
Magna Legal Services
Office of Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell
Office of Supervisor Kathryn Barger
Office of Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath
Pepperdine University - Strauss
Institute for Dispute Resolution
SoCal Gas
StoneTapert
Tanya Acker and Randy Douthit
Wilson Sonsini
SUPPORTERS
1st Century Bank
Bouvier Eulen
Cal Poly Pomona
Eileen & Richard Barrett
Julie L. Gantz
Marc M. Seltzer
Mark Steinberg
Munger Tolles & Olson is proud to support Western Justice Center’s commitment to conflict resolution education.
Congratulations to WJC’s Extraordinary Changemakers:
DOROTHY W. NELSON PEACEMAKERS AWARD
Eliot Arts Magnet Academy & McKinley School of the Arts
Pasadena Unified School District
MOVEMENT BUILDER AWARD
Dr. José A. Gómez
President, Pasadena City College
CHAMPION OF JUSTICE AWARD
Honorable Richard A. Paez
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
proudly supports
Western Justice Center’s
2025 Empower Gala
and its e orts to empower future community leaders and create peacemaking spaces where conflicts are managed and violence is reduced.
Congratulations to tonight’s honorees
Eliot Arts Magnet Academy & McKinley School of the Arts
Pasadena Unified School District
Dorothy W. Nelson Peacemakers Award
Dr. José A. Gómez President, Pasadena City College Movement Builder Award
Honorable Richard A. Paez
US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Champion of Justice Award
850+
We are proud to support the Western Justice Center and join them in congratulating
Eliot Arts Magnet Academy & McKinley School of the Arts
Dorothy W. Nelson Peacemakers Award
Dr. José A. Gómez
Movement Builder Award
Honorable Richard A. Paez
Champion of Justice Award
“Education remains the key to both economic and political empowerment.”
Barbara Jordan
Superintendent/President Dr. José A. Gómez,
We extend our sincere appreciation to you for being a Movement Builder of Empowerment for our students.
From your colleagues at Pasadena City College and the Pasadena City College Foundation.
DIAMOND SPONSORS
Another year of excellence.
Signature Resolution is proud to be a supporter of the Western Justice Center and the 2025 Empower Gala. We congratulate the honorees of the evening:
Hon. Richard A. Paez
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Champion of Justice Award
Dr. José A. Gómez
President, Pasadena City College Movement Builder Award
Eliot Arts Magnet Academy & McKinley School of the Arts
APasadena Unified School District
Dorothy W. Nelson Peacemakers Award
is proud to support the
WESTERN JUSTICE CENTER
and joins in congratulating this year’s honorees.
TOGETHER, WE HAVE THE POWER TO KEEP THE FUTURE BRIGHT
We are proud to sponsor the Western Justice Center 2025 Empower Annual Gala CONGRATULATIONS TO TONIGHT’S HONOREES.
is proud to support Western Justice Center.
KENDALL BRILL
Eliot Arts Magnet Academy & Mckinley School of the Arts
Dorothy W. Nelson Peacemakers Award
Dr. José A. Gómez Movement Builder Award
Honorable Richard A. Paez Champion of Justice Award
We are proud to support Western Justice Center’s 2025 Empower Awards and congratulate this year’s honorees:
Honorable Richard A. Paez Champion of Justice Award
Dr. José A. Gómez Movement Builder Award
Eliot Arts Magnet Academy & McKinley School of the Arts
Dorothy W. Nelson Peacemakers Award
Venable Proudly Sponsors the Western Justice Center
Empower Gala
We are thrilled to join the WJC in celebrating the students and educators who are strengthening their communities through conflict resolution and peacebuilding skills.
Waymaker Congratulates This Year’s
EMPOWER ANNUAL GALA WINNERS
Eliot Arts Magnet Academy & McKinley School of THE Arts
Pasadena Unified School District
Dr. José A. Gómez
President, Pasadena City College
Honorable Richard A. Paez
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Lee S. Brenner, Esq.
SILVER SPONSORS
CONGRATULATIONS
to the Western Justice Center and the honorees on their remarkable contributions to our community.
The Western Justice Center thanks for their generous support
Hueston Hennigan is proud to support WESTERN JUSTICE CENTER
SILVER SPONSORS
Loeb & Loeb is proud to continue its support of the Western Justice Center.
We extend our congratulations to this year’s honorees, and we commend the WJC for its essential work inspiring the students of today, to be the adult leaders of tomorrow.
We congratulate Dr. Jose A. Gomez and the Honorable Richard A. Paez on their well-deserved awards and thank the WJC staff for their on-going hard work and commitment.
Lois & Jim Thompson
SILVER SPONSORS
Eliot
BRONZE SPONSORS
Dr. José A. Gómez
President,
Honorable Richard A. Paez
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
BRONZE SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS
Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath Third District
TANYA ACKER & RANDY DOUTHIT
Congratulations and Best Wishes to Judge Richard Paez.
Thank you for your many years of service to our community.
Marc Seltzer
MEMO
DATE: September 25, 2025
TO: The Honorable Richard Paez
FROM: Mark and Marjorie Steinberg
SUBJECT: The "Champion of Justice Award"
FACTS: CONCLUSION:
You have sat with distinction, stood with courage, and given your heart to the law.
We owe you an enormous debt of gratitude.
Cal Poly Pomona proudly congratulates
DR. JOSÉ GÓMEZ
’93, Sociology President, Pasadena City College
on this well-deserved recognition at the Empower Gala.
Your leadership, dedication, and commitment to student success continue to inspire and uplift our communities.
SUPPORTER
SCMA CELEBRATES THE WESTERN JUSTICE CENTER’S POWERFUL COMMITMENT TO YOUTH EDUCATION IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION.
By equipping young peop e with the tools to l sten, lead and reso ve differences peaceful y, they are shaping the next generation of changemakers, and we are honored to support that mission
FEBRUARY 10 & 17, 2026 THE CALIFORNIA ENDOWMENT
Become a Mediation Mentor at PMI
Western Justice Center’s PMI brings together student leaders from across LA County to sharpen their conflict resolution skills. You can play a key role in their growth.
WHY IT MATTERS:
• Schools report an 18–50% drop in suspensions within two years.
• Student mediators successfully resolve over 90% of cases, with most staying resolved.
• Youth gain confidence, strengthen communication skills, and help create safer, more supportive schools.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.LASTING VOLUNTEER TODAY
AS A PEER MENTOR, YOU’LL:
• Coach students through mock mediation sessions
• Provide real-time feedback and encouragement
• Help disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline
Join Federal and State judges, attorneys, educators, mediators, and community leaders in shaping the next generation of peacebuilders.
WESTERNJUSTICE.ORG
Thank You
