Peace Games partners with schools to teach elementary and middle school children conflict-resolution skills.

The program is partnering with USC to expanding the Peace Games model into K-12 schools in a seven-square-mile area of South and East Los Angeles, covering the University Park Campus and the Health Sciences Campus northeast of downtown.

This pilot project that will eventually lead to a comprehensive community response to preventing violence and engaging thousands of young people and families with the critical skills of conflict resolution and civic engagement.

Non-Profit Exec Mandy Nelson was recently named executive director of Peace Games’ L.A.-area program.

She said her work has been particularly affected by the California budget crisis, which has school officials all over the state pondering cutbacks.

“How do we help a principal find a way to keep this going and how do we find the money to pay for it? These are the main challenges we are faced with today,” she said told LA Business Journal reporter Alexandra Hinojosa.