Fitchburg, MA (August 23, 2005) - Unitil (AMEX:UTL) announced today that the 2005 Unitil Community Grant has been awarded to Mediation Services of North Central Massachusetts, Inc. (MSI) to recruit and train 16-20 new volunteer community mediators.
"MSI provides an invaluable community benefit with its programs aimed at resolving conflicts peacefully, "said Robert G. Schoenberger, Unitil's Chairman, CEO and President. "We feel it is a highly valuable use of the Community Grant to allow them to expand this program. Having more volunteer mediators will create a ripple effect of goodwill, respect, and empowerment in the community that will impact everyone."
The funds from the grant will be used for recruitment and interviewing of prospective candidates, 40-hour training program, and final evaluation/graduation of 16-20 new community mediators. Volunteer mediators give their time and skill to assist their neighbors to resolve conflicts peacefully, saving court time and money, repairing relationships, and creating civil communities.
MSI is a grant funded non-profit community mediation agency established in 1988 to provide free mediation services to individuals, groups, schools, and businesses in the area. Cases are referred to MSI from many different sources, such as police officers, judges, attorneys, and legislators. Since 1988, MSI volunteer mediators have conducted over 3,400 mediations with 90% reaching a mediated agreement.
Unitil's $10,000 Community Grant goes beyond the traditional corporate giving by contributing to a specific project of a local nonprofit organization. This includes, but is not limited to, program planning and development, events and one-time programs, organizational development, small equipment to support key programs, and community and outreach programs. Previous grants have been awarded to the Cleghorn Neighborhood Center and Mt. Wachusett Community College Citizenship Academy. The Community Grant program is part of Unitil's Community Development Program, which seeks to make a lasting positive impact by focusing the Company's resources of time, effort, and donations on community service.
Unitil Corporation (AMEX:UTL) at www.unitil.com is a public utility holding company with subsidiaries providing electric service in New Hampshire, electric and gas service in Massachusetts and energy services throughout the Northeast.
Contact:
Heather Hughes
hughes@unitil.com
Corporate Office
Liberty Lane West
Hampton, NH 03842-1720
800/999-6501
