AVP California: Alternatives to Violence Project

We are open while we are improving things. Please email admin@avpcalifornia.org if you discover a problem.

Online Auction Open Now!

The Alternatives to Violence Project California auction is now online on BetterWorld! Head to the link below to take a look at the great items that have been donated - bidding has already started. 100% of all proceeds go to support this amazing cause! Live portion of the auction will be during the Fall Gathering on Saturday November 9th. Link will be provided to join the excitement. Take a look and please repost! https://avpc.betterworld.org/auctions/2024-avp-ca-auction

Santa Cruz Council Highlight

This video speaks to the amazing work being done by the Santa Cruz Council along sides with Danny Contreras the County Manager and returned citizen who witnessed the profound change that happened on the prison yard when AVP workshops began.

Fall Gathering 2024 - Open to all California Facilitators
November 8-10 @ Camp Ocean Pines in lovely Cambria

Registration - a few spaces still available: REGISTRATION FORM

AVP Helps with CTF food sale raises $11k for families in need!

The Correctional Training Facility (CTF) at Soledad donated nearly $11,000 to help families in need, thanks to a food sale. Organized by incarcerated individuals in the Alternatives to Violence Program, proceeds from the food sale will help families over the holiday season and beyond. Prison officials and the incarcerated organizers presented the donation Aug. 22 to the Soledad Law Enforcement Officers Foundation.

The non-profit foundation is dedicated to helping underprivileged families in the south county area.

Some of the events put on by the foundation include the Angel Tree and Cops Giving Tree.

The Cops Giving Tree is an annual event held by the City of Soledad in collaboration with CTF and Salinas Valley State Prison to provide dinner and gifts to families in need.

Helping the community fosters rehabilitation

The Alternatives to Violence Program focuses on reducing recidivism through workshops promoting self-awareness, empathy, and nonviolent conflict resolution. By participating in these types of fundraisers, these individuals have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the community. In turn, these acts also support their own rehabilitation journey.

Soledad Chief of Police Damon Wasson expressed his appreciation during the check presentation.

“My thanks to the men in the Alternatives to Violence Program and the staff at CTF for making sure the community of Soledad will once again have a successful Cops Giving Tree and a merry Christmas. Special thanks to Dan (Santa) Ferguson, Darius Galloway, Warden Borla, and the rest of the staff working in front of and behind the scenes to make this happen,” Wasson said.

CTF acting Warden Edward J. Borla noted the importance of such initiatives.

“Events like these are essential not just for the funds they raise but for the opportunity they provide our incarcerated population to actively partake in meaningful community service,” he said. “It’s about rehabilitation through responsibility and generosity.”