Taking a workshop is the first step toward being involved in, and understanding the work of AVP/California.

Click here to be notified of future workshops.

AVP WORKSHOP LOCATIONS
If a workshop is not listed, click the "contact" person listed to find future dates.
If a workshop date is listed, click the "contact" person to register.

**Southern California
**Central Coast
**San Joaquin Valley
**Northern California

INFORMATION ABOUT AVP WORKSHOPS
**About AVP workshops
**Workshop levels
**How to become a Facilitator
**What it is like to "run" a workshop

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Antelope Valley
http://www.avpav.org
Contact-Diana or 661/942-3025
T for F: February 11-12

Blythe
Contact-Stacey or Sam 760/921-7557

Indio
Contact-Gina

El Centro
Contact-Pat

Temple City
Contact-Joan or 800/905-6765 (Press "1" for AVP/Los Angeles)

Los Angeles
Contact-Joan

San Diego/Hands of Peace
Contact-Carroll
Basic: 8-weeks (2-1/2 hour) workshop starting in January

Tehachapi
Contact-Diana or Doug Couch or 661/942-3025

CENTRAL COAST

Los Olivos
Contact-Gay or George

Ventura County
Contact-Percy

CENTRAL VALLEY

Stockton
Contact-Joyce

Sonora (Soulsbyville)
Contact-Margaret

Fresno/Visalia
Contact-Greg

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Bay Bridge Council: Berkeley-Oakland/San Francisco
Contact-Toby 510/394-2622

Davis
Contact-Joyce
Basic: March 10-11

North Bay-Santa Rosa
Contact-Sharon or call 707/490-2159
Advanced: March 9-11

Grass Valley
Contact-Joyce
Basic: February 3-5
Advanced: March 2-4
Basic: March 30-April 1

Sacramento
Contact-Barb

Humboldt
Contact-Gail

See also Local Groups and Supporting AVP

ABOUT AVP WORKSHOPS
Workshops are open to anyone who wishes to attend. The only requirement is that the participant attends voluntarily. Fees are reasonable, with a sliding scale ranging from $25 to $125; your choice. Scholarships are available. No one is turned away for lack of funds.

Each of the three levels of AVP workshops runs 18-21 hours and is facilitated by a team of volunteers. Common workshop configurations are a three-day block or a series of two-day "chunks." Mini-workshops to your group, for demonstration purposes, ared also available.

WORKSHOP LEVELS

Level One: Basic Workshop
Every Basic Workshop involves:

*Establishing a base of self-esteem, affirmation, trust and cooperation
*Exploring methods of communication
*Learning about creative ways of resolving conflict

Each workshop is unique. The individuals who attend have different personalities and experience.
AVP workshops seek to assist individuals in personal growth and change. AVP is not psychotherapy.
Click here to read what participants have said about Basic Workshops.

Level Two: Advanced Workshop
After completion of a Level One workshop, you might be interested in attending this more advanced level. Advanced workshops focus on:

*The underlying causes of conflict such as fear, anger, stereotyping, power and powerlessness, as well as "old history" and behavior.
*Taking a deeper look at ways of resolving conflicts, including communication and forgiveness.
* Experiencing consensus as a decision-making process.

Participants usually choose the focus of the work.

How To Become a Facilitator

*Begin by completion of the Basic and Advanced AVP Workshops
*If you would like to become a volunteer Facilitator of the AVP process, take the Training-for-Facilitators/Trainers (T4F) Workshop. This workshop is designed for those who expect to be active in AVP community and/or prison workshops.
*A T4F teaches the skills needed to help run workshop, such as:
.....Group process skills
.....Working as a cooperative team
.....Hands-on experience
.....Specific AVP methods: Agenda Building, Exercises, Transforming Power, Light and Livelies, Role Plays, etc.
*As a last step in the training, you will apprentice with one or more facilitation teams in workshops and work with a local group, to develop your skills and confidence, until you are a full-fledged Facilitator.

Articles on what it is like to "run" an AVP workshop
* An AVP Facilitator's Point of View
* Learning Alternatives to Violence in Prison

To go into a prison, see this Master list of contacts