November 28, 2023 – WPDI is proud to announce BMO will support the Domestic Harmonizer Program, a peace education program in the United States created by WPDI. This partnership will continue the progress of this impactful program through fostering a culture of understanding and conflict resolution among students, and ultimately promoting safer and more inclusive educational environments in schools.
In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world where challenges and conflict are a part of daily life, it is essential to teach young people the values of empathy, kindness, and skills necessary to problem-solve collaboratively. These conflict resolution skills are just as important to learn in school as any other academic subject area, and have the potential to benefit youth for years to come. BMO recognizes the importance of nurturing these values in young minds and is proud to support WPDI.
This 3-year partnership will help drive the growth of this program in the Greater Los Angeles Area and beyond. BMO’s support helps WPDI’s peer mediation program at its partner schools, professional development training with teachers, and parenting workshops. The funding support will also enable WPDI to improve and grow its Domestic Harmonizer Virtual Center, which contains digital tools such as educational modules, animation videos, and a peace education game, Hear Me Out.
“We are thrilled to have BMO as a partner in our mission to promote peace in schools,” states Forest Whitaker, Founder and CEO of WPDI. “With BMO’s support, we can expand our reach and create a stronger impact in encouraging restorative tools for the entire school community. Schools need tools offered by this program, including our flagship peer mediation program, teacher training, and our new social-emotional learning course, Inner Spark. Our goal is to get our tools in the hands of as many students, teachers, and parents as possible, and work in collaboration with schools to achieve this important mission.”
“Education is a cornerstone of social progress. Our support of the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative helps provide resources for students, teachers, and parents to create positive change and eliminate barriers to a more inclusive educational experience,” said Kimberley Goode, Chief Communications and Social Impact Officer, BMO. “This commitment reflects our dedication to building stronger, more vibrant communities in which everyone thrives – an essential part of how we live our Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life.”
This donation embodies BMO’s efforts to advance inclusive economic progress in the United States through community investment. It is part of BMO’s more than $40 billion Community Benefits Plan, which is a series of commitments that address key barriers to economic inclusion by supporting and investing in communities and organizations across the United States, with over $16 billion dollars of the planned commitment targeted for California.
BMO is committed to and investing in the Los Angeles community. In October, BMO donated $3 million to Thrive Scholars to launch the BMO Thrive Academy – Los Angeles. In September, BMO donated $1 million to help Homeboy Industries expand its Los Angeles Workforce Development and Training Center. In January, BMO announced a naming rights deal for BMO Stadium and a partnership with Los Angeles FC and Angel City FC.
WPDI has plans to expand the program to additional schools in California and Washington state starting in 2024. The organization’s long-term goal is also to enhance its digital tools to offer more resources for teachers and students, and more educational games for students. The goal is to continue to bridge gaps in learning about the importance of restorative practices in schools, and also continue to scale the implementation of Inner Spark to enable student leaders to mentor one another.
About Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI)
The Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI) is a non-governmental organization with an international scope and reach, founded in 2012 by the artist, social activist and UNESCO Special Envoy for Peace, Forest Whitaker. WPDI is committed to fostering peace, gender equality, sustainability and resilience in countries and places affected by violence, poverty and marginalization. In Africa, Europe, as well as Latin and North America, WPDI develops a wide range of programs aimed at training and supporting underprivileged individuals and groups, with a particular focus on youth and women, enabling them to become empowered as mediators, educators, entrepreneurs, and leaders, fostering positive transformation within their communities and beyond.
BMO Gives. Good grows here.
Helping communities thrive by supporting the organizations that sustain them and encouraging employee giving and volunteerism is at the heart of BMO’s Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. In 2022, the bank’s social impact included more than $69 million donated to hundreds of charities and non-profit organizations across North America to help drive progress by enabling individuals to thrive and communities to prosper. BMO colleagues spent almost 50,000 hours volunteering in the community and contributed more than $26 million of donations through the bank’s annual employee giving program. For more information, please visit BMO.com.
About BMO Financial Group
BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.25 trillion as of July 31, 2023. Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services to over 13 million customers across Canada, the United States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society.
