Fresno State’s Mediator Mentors program will thank 1,240 student mediators for their service to Central Valley schools at the Fresno Grizzlies baseball game, 7:05 p.m. June 1 at Chukchansi Park in downtown Fresno.

The Grizzlies will wear special, Star Wars-themed jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game to benefit Mediator Mentors, a program in which Fresno State students train children in grades 4 – 12 to become conflict resolution mediators for their schools. The day kicks off with an on-field parade before the game.

Tickets to the game are $12, with half of the proceeds from each ticket supporting Mediator Mentors. Fresno State’s Kremen School of Education and Human Development operates the Mediator Mentor program. The future teachers, counselors, social workers and psychologists studying at the Kremen School learn conflict resolution and communication techniques that can be effectively implemented by children.

“Mediator Mentors is an example of a positive university-public school partnership, which empowers children who may not have examples of constructive conflict in their lives,” said Dr. Pam Lane Garon, co-director of the program. “This is invaluable service learning that allows young adults to become role models for child mediators by teaching them the common vocabulary of conflict resolution.”

Since 1998, Mediator Mentors served 8,000 children and teachers in 70 schools. Site-based programs are now operating in Fresno, Sanger, Central, Clovis, Chowchilla, Kerman and Dinuba school districts.

According to Karen DeVoogd, co-director of Mediator Mentors, research shows that guided practice in peaceful conflict resolution models is an effective way to transform conflict from destructive to constructive. “Conflict resolution education can provide our students with the foundation to negotiate a diverse world and global economy. The values of inclusiveness and respect for different views dramatically change the quality of disputes and pave the way for more respectful and effective communication.”

Tickets to the Mediator Mentors benefit Grizzlies game are available at 559.278.0244.

For more information, contact Sarah Schmidt at 559.278.0393 or sschmidt@csufresno.edu.

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