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(Northern Rockies News Service) An Idaho project is working to bridge the political divide harming the country's democracy. The United Vision Project facilitates meaningful conversations between people with differing views. It started in 2020 and has since reached a half million people in 12 states.

Nancy Pelegano, a volunteer with The United Vision Project, said volunteers are trained in the "authentic relational conversations" technique.

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"I do not argue with people," she said. "I don't tell people they are wrong. I don't judge. I have a conversation, I listen."

Pelegano joined the project four years ago because of the divisive rhetoric she'd been hearing since Barack Obama's presidency. She wanted to learn what was dividing people and find a way to connect with them on a deeper level to help heal the country.

The program has volunteers, but it also finds people who may be secluded, such as those in rural areas. Pelegano added that many people simply don't feel heard.

"We are reaching folks that people don't talk to, that I think sometimes feel like they are forgotten, and so those conversations can be really powerful and really important," she stressed.

Pelegano said it can be difficult talking to someone with different beliefs than her. People can get angry and she understands there's hurt behind that anger. But she finds these conversations are worth it. Pelegano added that the program has helped her grow as a person and hopes it can also help heal the country's wounded democracy.

"Making a difference by bridging the divide, by talking to people that think differently is very powerful and it's very meaningful work. It makes us understand the work is hard and it is going to continue and we cannot stop doing this. We have to keep talking to each other," she continued.