wfn.org | Christian Schools create Prevention Center

[APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com]

October 8, 2000
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

Christian Schools Take an Innovative Approach to 
Violence Prevention

Elkhart County, Michigan, USA - Andrews University, 
Goshen College, and Associated Mennonite Biblical 
Seminary have joined to create a center targeting 
violence prevention here and around the world. The 
center's direction will be determined by the schools 
three presidents. Mary Yoder Holsopple who has worked in 
two war zones and former director of the now defunct 
Violence Intervention Project of 1998, will head up 
this unique center.

The center will primarily be funded by a US$247,000 grant 
from the Teagle Foundation along with some money from a 
local group called Reaching Common Ground. 

Peace-related issues will be researched at the university 
by students majoring in social work. Sharon Pittman, 
chairwoman of Andrews University's social work department 
said in a publication, Truth,  that "mediation and 
preventing violence take less time than dealing with the 
problems violence creates."

Shirley Showalter, Goshen College president, said that 
the center "will seek imaginative solutions to age-old 
problems of violence. I hope it will become the kind of 
ideal connection between the values, resources and vision 
our three institutions have for peacemaking and the most 
pressing needs of our community." (281/2000)