WHAT IS AVP?

Starting with a bit of history
Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) began in 1975 as a collaboration between inmates in Green Haven Prison and Quakers interested in working with youth gangs and teens at risk. This successful, ongoing program quickly spread throughout New York State prisons and then to other states as a prison program and as a community program for people from all walks of life. AVP is active internationally in countries on all inhabited continents. Click here for an overview of AVP sites.

How does it work?
Through an international network of local chapters, AVP facilitators — all trained volunteers — offer workshops in prisons as well as in the community for all who would like to reduce the level of unresolved conflict in their lives and the lives of those around them.

AVP offers Basic, Advanced, and Training-for-Facilitator Workshops. Workshops are fast-paced, weaving together interactive exercises, facilitated discussions, role plays, humor and games.

AVP is…

• An experiential program, helping people change their lives.
• A community program, offering a new approach for community groups, social service agencies, schools, youth organizations and all who would like to participate.
• A prison program, helping inmates learn new skills and attitudes that lead to fulfilling and crime-free lives.

AVP builds upon a spiritual base of respect and caring for self and others. Though founded by Quakers, AVP draws participants and trainers from all religions, races, sexual identity, and walks of life. Click here for more information about Workshops and other ways to support AVP

AVP/California
Local groups are connected through an informal California collective of representatives, who bring together facilitators to produce successful workshops. They assist one another by exchanging ideas and working on specific California AVP issues. Until local groups are established throughout the state, the AVP/CA Steering Committee functions as the statewide contact for opening new prison and community programs, as well as developing direction for AVP in the state. Click here for minutes of Steering Committee and Annual Meetings. Click here for an overview of the AVP/California program.

Check these Upcoming Events for Facilitators

An Annual Meeting of AVP/CA is held at the annual Fall Facilitator Gathering, first held in 2004.

AVP USA brought its national gathering to California at the Headlands Institute on Memorial Day weekend, May 27-30, 2005 when AVP/California was established as a separate entity. AVP/CA is a 501-C(3) under the aegis of AVP USA.