Editor:

This is in response to the Post's column entitled Discrimination unfounded - Police, school officials find little evidence of alleged claims.

The Paradise Center for Tolerance and Nonviolence (PCTN) welcomes this opportunity to explain our Victim Support & Advocacy program and to comment on the Post's report about the information in our fundraising letter which can be seen at www.pctn.org, under PCTN 2009 Membership Drive.

The letter in question contains two sections of information. The first lists six examples of bias-related actions on the Ridge that occurred in October and November, all of which are documented either by PCTN or the police department or both.

The second section of the fundraising letter briefly lists nine active cases from PCTN's Victim Support & Advocacy program that we wanted supporters to learn about so they could see what kind of work we are doing. The Post article states that police and school officials have little to no documentation of several of the alleged incidents.

In fact, five of the nine cases are school-related but not all involve the Paradise School District. Only two of the nine cases relate to criminal issues and did not occur in Paradise. PCTN gets calls from the broader community because we are the only such organization in Butte County. When it is warranted and we are able, we assist clients outside of the Paradise-Magalia area.

The headline of the article "Discrimination Unfounded" is misleading. PCTN did not provide details because we have an obligation to respect the confidentiality of our clients. This protocol was explained to the Post reporter.

Just to be clear, PCTN's brochure and website at www.pctn.org clearly state our role in the Victim Support & Advocacy Program. In this direct-response service, PCTN offers:

• attentive and compassionate support and a safe, confidential place to talk
• leadership in arranging meetings and accompanying the victim or guardian
• facilitation of communication and collaboration with all parties to find solutions
• advocacy with institutions, agencies, and law enforcement
• referrals to other needed services

As a non-profit organization, PCTN is responsible to the community at large to be above board in all of our dealings, and our Board of Directors is composed of upstanding community members who all take their roles very seriously and who strive to be careful stewards of the resources that have been entrusted to them.

PCTN remains committed to its mission to promote respect for differences and human rights, foster alternatives to violence, and advocate for a safe, hospitable, and harmonious community for all.

We invite parents, grandparents, friends and youth to speak up about bullying and intolerance in our schools and on the Ridge at a public forum on Wednesday, December 17, 6:30 PM at the Paradise Library, 5922 Clark Road. The purpose of the forum is to give people an opportunity to tell about their experiences and concerns, and to share ideas about cooperative steps toward positive change.

Bordelon is the PCTN director while Nordgren is board president