AVP Workshops - Click here for more info
Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP)
In 1975, a group of prison inmates decided to confront
the violence in their lives. They had no idea that less than 20 years
later their efforts would result in a program operational in over 40
states and in North and South America, Europe, Australia and Africa.
AVP was born of an association between a small group of New York Quakers
and inmates at Green Haven prison in Stormville, NY who were working
with teenagers in the custody of New York State Division for Youth.
Realizing their fear tactics were not succeeding in diverting these
teens from violent behavior, and finding themselves fearful of the
youths' level of violence, they requested help from a local group of
Quakers. Nationally, AVP now has programs in the workplace, schools,
universities, churches, drug abuse centers, gang-intervention groups,
job-training and other community programs.
In Colorado, AVP is a vital program of New Foundations Nonviolence
Center, which continues to grow and has been vital in our communities
and prison system. But, as the violence in our society, particularly
among our youth, continues to increase at an alarming rate and in a time
of shrinking resources for programs to counter that violence, we need
more than ever to expand these programs.
AVP Workshops
New Foundation offers experiential three-day, one-day,
and 2 1/2 hour workshops. Role-playing and other activities help
participants recognize their own violence as well as violence in their
environment, learning how to deal with conflict peacefully. Emphasis is
placed on building community, trust, self-esteem, and developing
listening skills. Participation is voluntary, no outside observers are
allowed and confidentiality is respected.
All levels utilize experiential learning techniques.
"This is the first time I have really seen how I can do things
differently and still be able to respect myself as a man." - AVP
inmate participant!
From a three day AVP Workshop in a South Dakota Penitentiary:
"It is difficult to reduce to writing, the experience I had over three
days with this group of people. The word which seems most descriptive to
me is: powerful. Without wanting to
sound hyperbolic, I would say the process I observed borders on
miraculous. There is more to this human business than we allow ourselves
to believe when we get trapped in superficial and simplistic solutions."
- Steve Lindly, Administrator, Wyoming Department of Corrections