Western Justice Center

We're #hiring a new Restorative Schools Manager - Azusa Unified School District in Pasadena, California. Apply today or share this post with your network.

This?Women’s History Month, we shine a spotlight on women standing at the forefront of peacemaking efforts and social justice movements here and around the world. Leymah Gbowee?is a Liberian peace activist and?Nobel Peace Prize laureate?renowned for her pivotal role in ending the Second Liberian Civil War. In 2002, she led the?Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace, a nonviolent movement that united Christian and Muslim women in a shared quest for peace. Through?persistent daily sit-ins and peaceful protests, these women pressured then-President Charles Taylor to engage in peace talks, ultimately leading to the war's conclusion in 2003. Gbowee's efforts?not only?halted the conflict?but also paved the way for the election of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa's first female head of state, exemplifying the?profound impact of grassroots women's movements in peacemaking. #Mediation #Peacemaking #PeaceOverViolence

THANK YOU, MEDIATION MENTORS, SPONSORS & PARTNERS! ???? PMI 2025 was a huge success, and it wouldn’t have been possible without our incredible Mediation Mentors and generous sponsors! ?? To our mentors—your time, wisdom, and encouragement helped students step into their power as mediators, bridging divides and building brighter futures. You showed up, guided, and inspired the next generation of peacebuilders. We appreciate you! To our sponsors—your support made this transformative experience possible. Because of you, hundreds of students gained the tools to resolve conflicts, foster understanding, and lead with empathy. Thank you for investing in a more just and peaceful future! Tagging all our amazing partners here—drop a comment and share your favorite PMI photo or moment! ?? ?? Don't forget to post your selfies from PMI and tag us! Judicate West Quinn Emanuel Latham & Watkins Mattel, Inc. Kaiser Permanente American Arbitration Association Alternative Resolution Centers (ARC) Constangy HKA JAMS Seyfarth Shaw LLP The Walt Disney Company ESPN ADR Services, Inc. Proskauer Rose LLP Loeb & Loeb LLP SoCalGas Mediation Center of Los Angeles California State University, Long Beach Groundswell Fund Kids Managing Conflict SCMA Education Foundation USC Gould School of Law Mediation Clinic Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution California Civil Rights Department Southern California Mediation Association JPMorganChase PCV Murcor @County of Los Angeles Commission on Human Relations And thank you to the Judges and mediators who volunteered their time with us! #PMI2025 #YouthRising #MediationMentors #BuildingFutures #Gratitude #ThankYou

Our Executive Director, Elissa Barrett was out on the town for New Ground’s Trailblazer Awards!

So proud of our young peacemakers and the stories they tell!

Thank you to our incredible journalist mentors, who empowered young Roving Reporters to cover the stories of young peacebuilders at PMI2025 for Western Justice Center. Thanks to Farrah Fazal, Joshua Irving Gershick, Kelly Lopez and Larry Wilson. Special thanks to Larry for this incredible article. The closing line says it all! #conflictresolution #peacebuilding #youthempowerment #restorativejustice #storytelling

Check it out! Our very own Schoene Mahmood, Program Manager for El Monte City School District will be speaking on a panel about demystifying mediation later this month.

Executive Director Elissa Barrett with Claudia Brown Coulter Crystal Williams and Jason Harper at the Southern California Mediation Association coffee mixer at WJC headquarters! #Mediation #CommunityBuilding

Easterseals Southern California is providing support for those impacted by the Eaton Fires. See dates below.

?????????????? ?????? ??????????????????! WJC's Program Advisory Council member and research partner, Dayna Mitchell, Ed.D. from Cal Poly Pomona, and Marc Rodriguez, Azusa Unified School District educator and LMU Social Justice doctoral candidate, will be sharing about their experiences working with WJC to systemically implement restorative alternatives to punitive discipline in Azusa. #RestorativeJustice #FixSchoolDiscipline