PCTN: about us

The Paradise Center for Tolerance and Nonviolence (PCTN), founded in October, 2000 is a grassroots, nonsectarian, nonpolitical, not for profit 501(c)(3) corporation, dedicated to fostering tolerance of differences, to resolving conflicts peacefully, and to building a safe, hospitable and harmonious community, where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. We recognize each person's right to his or her beliefs and opinions. We advocate for unbiased and respectful behavior. Our members have diverse religious beliefs, affiliations and political views.

During its first year the Center successfully worked with Town officials to set up a system for removing hate graffiti. In keeping with our mission of fostering tolerance and appreciation of all races and cultures, volunteers turned their efforts toward the production of two community events: a celebration of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr Day held in January and a multi-cultural Unity in Diversity Festival held in June. The Center has continued to present these entertaining and inspiring events each year. No admission fee is charged.

In May, 2002 the local newspaper, the Paradise Post, published several articles reporting on racism and violence in the schools. PCTN saw a need for the community to come together. We hosted a community forum, "Speaking Up and Speaking Out about Racism, Intolerance and Violence in our Schools and on our Ridge." More than 90 people gathered to tell their stories. Each person was able to speak up about personal experiences and wishes for change in the schools and on the Ridge. They decided they wanted to meet again, and we were launched on a Campaign for Tolerance. Four action groups were formed: Public Policy, Commercial Relations, Schools and Youth, and Faith Communities. The Faith Communities group faded without developing an action program. The Schools and Youth group was joined by Paradise Unified School District staff, and positive changes at the school sites were implemented, after the School Board adopted a "Resolution to encourage tolerance and nonviolence in our schools." Through persistent advocacy, PCTN was instrumental in the decision of the Mayor of Paradise to make a Proclamation on January 11, 2005, in support of Equal Treatment and Tolerance for all.

Community Campaign for Tolerance meetings continued monthly through 2002 and into 2003, with the volunteer action groups moving forward to realize their objectives.

In the fall of 2003, PCTN traded a tiny office for one with high public visibility at the entrance to town, and with space for meetings, and a resource library.

PCTN had also embarked on a path to broaden our vision, our goals and our capacity to offer community services. Acquiring grant funding was a major milestone. The California Endowment gave us a $50,000 grant for an 18-month period beginning January, 2004. With this funding and affirmation of the value of our mission, PCTN was able to move from an all-volunteer, all donation-funded organization to an organization with a paid staff person, financial stability, and the capacity to build on our programs and services. TCE affirmed its continued support of PCTN by approving another grant of approximately $50,000 for 2006.

PCTN's mission and the services we offer are unique and meaningful to the wellbeing of the Ridge community and beyond. Families we have helped have told us that the presence of PCTN gives them a sense of safety, knowing that there is a place to go for help.

A 501(c)(3) organization, PCTN has evolved from an all-volunteer entity to an organization with part-time professional staff and a functioning office. The Board of Directors is composed of 11 community members who share an enduring commitment to promoting social change and eradicating racism. The board and four standing committees meet monthly, to consider new programs and services, address issues and expansion related to existing programs, to make decisions and develop plans for fundraising events and activities, and to address budgeting and operational issues. The founder and board President through 2004, Wendy Hartley, was named among the 50 most influential people on the Paradise Ridge in 2003, 2004, and 2005, by the Paradise Post.

In the past two years, PCTN has fortified organizational infrastructure with formal board Training, functional standing committees with mission statements, and a Strategic Plan that was implemented. By converting financial systems to QuickBooks, we greatly improved budgeting, bookkeeping, and reporting capability. We also defined the organization’s Core Values and updated the Mission Statement.

PCTN currently employs a part-time Director. With a very actively involved Board of Directors, sixty-plus volunteers, and student interns, PCTN is able to offer the community an ever-expanding array of programs and services, while managing the administration and daily office operations of the Center. In 2006 we had $29,701 in-kind donations of goods and services.

Because intolerance and prejudice are often at the root of harassing and violent behaviors, our programs and services seek to engender more understanding and acceptance of diversity, whether racial/ethnic differences or those related to beliefs, gender identity,disability, age,sex or other sterotyped minority group and to encourage recognition of the common human values, dreams and struggles that unite us all. Toward that end, PCTN's two primary objectives have been support and prevention. The Center offers support and advocacy for victims of harassment, discrimination and violence, resulting from prejudice and intolerance. We act as a bridge between the victim and the institution by accompanying victims to meetings with school officials, the police or other authority. We assist them in stating their point of view and finding consensual solutions. We work toward prevention by raising awareness, through our annual community events, our educational evenings exploring diverse cultures, and our youth programs, expanding children's understanding of bullying and hurtful teasing, encouraging their empathy and recognition of the value of kind and respectful interaction, and teaching them practical tools for dealing with conflicts.

Our overall strategy has been one of working with and within organizations that are established and accepted by the Paradise Ridge Community. Some of these include: the Boys and Girls Club of Paradise Ridge, Paradise Branch of the Butte County Public Library, Town Officials, Teen Youth Council Coordinator, the Paradise Police Department, the Sheriff's Department, Rowell Family Empowerment, California State University Chico Student Internship Program, Human Relations Network of Butte County, Youth for Change, Paradise Family Resource Center, Stonewall Alliance, Community Relations Division of the United States Department of Justice, North Valley Community Foundation, as well as others.

With the continued dedication of many volunteers and the help of new and talented members, PCTN is deepening our capacity to offer the community supportive, healing and educational services. As we collaborate with new allies in the community, forge partnerships with other social organizations, and build on relationships with town leaders and law enforcement, we will expand our current programs, implement new ones, and work toward creating a coalition of purpose among community leaders/organizations and public officials to join forces in a movement toward systemic change.

PCTN is publicly funded. We are working toward long-term financial sustainability through grants, fundraising events and contributions form the community. As you may know, the availability of grant funding in Northern California is scarce and competition is very tough, but our diligence has been rewarded with some success. Our fundraising program also includes one large event each year and smaller fundraising activities throughout the year. We rely on donations of individuals and local community organizations for support and stability.