one indy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 10, 2015 Contact: Tiffany Tibbot Director of Operations Phone: 765.977.9626 ttibbot@peacelearningcenter.org                                Indianapolis-based Peace Learning Center receives $800,000 Lilly Endowment grant Two-year grant will support strategic goals including restorative practices, expanding school programs for parents and teachers and increasing service opportunities for students  INDIANAPOLIS, IN– Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded Peace Learning Center an $800,000 grant to support its efforts to educate students, teachers, and parents in conflict resolution and social emotional learning skills. PLC’s education programs are designed to improve academic outcomes while reducing school discipline problems. The grant will also support a major partnership with ACT OUT – an interactive theater troupe directed by Claude McNeal Productions – and create more program partnerships with underserved area schools. Peace Learning Center’s approach incorporates communication skills, bullying prevention, diversity appreciation and conflict resolution techniques for students, teachers and as many family members as possible. The goal of Peace Learning Center and Act Out’s program partnership is to improve academic performance and build character through relationship and conflict management education. “Lilly Endowment’s support will enable us to expand proven programs that help youth build conflict resolution and critical thinking skills and deepen their commitment to education,” said Tim Nation, co-founder and executive director of Peace Learning Center. During the next two years, Peace Learning Center will create partnerships with schools that serve students who live in six neighborhoods that are high-priority areas due to high levels of crime