Alternatives to Violence Project

1. Alternatives to Violence Project AVP-Massachusetts

2. Conflict is partof daily life... ...but violencedoesn't have to be

3. Untitled (Logo Against Family Violence), 1989 (baby heart) by Keith Haring

4. All in one day... Massachusetts participated in the 2009 National Census of Domestic Violence Services.

5. In one 24 hour period in Massachusetts, 2009 2,018 victims of domestic violence accessed an array of services in MA: 683 found refuge in emergency shelters or transitional housing; 1,335 adults and children benefitted from non-residential services, including, individual counseling, legal advocacy, and children’s support groups. 763 hotline calls—that’s approximately 32 hotline calls every hour—providing life-saving support, information, safety planning, and resources to survivors, friends and family. 301 unmet requests for services, attributed to a critical shortage of funds and staff for housing, childcare, mental health and substance abuse counseling, and legal representation.

6. In every community there is work to be done. • In every nation, there are wounds to heal. • In every heart there is the power to do it. Marianne Williamson

7. A short history of the Alternatives to Violence Project • The AVP program began in 1975 when a group of inmates at Green Haven Prison (NY) started working with youth in the community who were coming into conflict with the law. Through collaboration with the Quaker Project on Community Conflict they developed a prison workshop. The success of this workshop quickly generated requests for more, and AVP was born.  The program quickly spread to many other prisons.

8. Our workshops build on everyday experiences and try to help us move away from violent or abusive behavior by developing other ways of dealing with conflicts.  They help us to increase the respect we have for ourselves and others. AVP prison workshop - USA

9. The need for this training exists as much outside prison as within • Everyone in all walks of life and circumstances is exposed to, and participates, in some way, in violence, whether it be physical, psychological or cultural in nature. • AVP is now in many countries around the world, including some of the most violent conflicts areas, Columbia, Australia, Costa Rica, Palestine, Russia, Kenya, Rwanda, the Congo and South Africa. • Although, AVP began with support from the Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) but the program is non-denominational, and works in many social and religious contexts.

10. Alternatives to Violence Projects

11. AVP International

12. We believe there is a power for peace and good in everyone, which can transform our relationships. The AVP mandela or wheel is a graphic symbol of the principles and methods of the AVP program. It reminds us to use our best tools and skills to convert the energy of potentially a violent situation into a balanced creative force, to obtain the best outcomes for all involved parties. AVP-Tampa.org

13. We are all learners we are all teachers

14. The wisdom is in the room • AVP facilitators don’t bring answers, but a holistic process for people to connect with their own inner wisdom, allowing them to connect with others on a profound level. • AVP workshops incorporate the widest diversity possible and participants express their appreciation for the opportunity to bond across society’s barriers.

15. AVP Training • Gives insight into new ways of looking at conflict by transforming our past reactions into positive future problem solving. • Communication, Cooperation and Conflict Resolution skills are learned through active listening, Role-plays and other forms of narratives, in individual, one-on-one, small group and whole activities • Important insights are gained through the role-plays, which are flexibly adapted and debriefed as they run, again helping us to assess and digest whatever we learn.

16. We cannot live only for ourselves.  A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men.  Herman Melville AVP is active in many communities, working to improve communication and interaction across the globe. Trust Exercise to explore community - Kerala, India

17. AVP Workshops include • Experiencing interactive exercises, games and role-plays • Examining the ways in which we respond to situations where injustice, prejudice, frustration and anger can lead to violence • Workshops given in colleges, schools, prisons and communities of faith • People interested in understanding and transforming conflict.

18. AVP Workshops;: • Are open to all ages, backgrounds and genders  • Are not allied to a particular faith or sect • Takes 2-3 full days • Explores the five pillars of AVP: • affirmation • communication • co-operation • community building • transforming power.

19. Affirmation & Communication • Improving communication skills forms an essential part of our workshop.  • We begin with introductions, agreeing on boundaries for the workshop, sharing names, and getting to know the group. • The exercises help us improve our listening skills, and share what is good about one another through affirmations - something we typically don't do enough of.

20. Learning to Listen Learning to give positive feedback Learning to care about people with honest and open communication Sharing part of yourself with perfect strangers … and feeling good about it. deepening communication skills - Hereford, Britain

21. Teaching Co-operation AVP is an experiential program - everything we do in our workshops begins with our own experiences. Before we start discussing cooperation in the workshop, we first remind ourselves how it feels to work in a group, either co-operating with the others or not! Reflecting on what we learn from our experiences, and listening to what others have learned, helps us to grow as a person. communication skills - Johannesburg, South Africa

22. Community building AVP workshops are great teambuilding tools - participants get to know each other by building a valuable basis of trust and understanding. Group construction, team building and trust exercises help build a sense of community, as do fun games and shared storytelling of experiences. Doing such exercises together is fun, and also teaches us a lot about ourselves and others. Our trained facilitators will debrief each exercise, drawing out lessons and insights from the group. a lively exploration of cooperation! - Orange Farm, South Africa

23. Transforming Power Fred Feucht • Everyone has an inner goodness • Somewhere in every conflict there is the possibility for a nonviolent solution. • Starting with ourselves, our attitudes, our beliefs. • Nonviolent conflict is a skill which improves with persistence, • It takes courage, it’s risky but it is less risky than violence

24. Here is a brief description of each type of workshop: • Basic workshop—Focuses on primary conflict resolution skills. Step-by-step experiences and exercises focus on affirmation, communication, cooperation, and creative conflict resolution. • Advanced workshop—Allows a deeper look at aspects of violence, such as stereotyping, power, fear, and anger. The workshop builds upon our collective experience in communication, cooperation, and problem solving. Consensus is presented as a decision making process. • Training for Facilitators—Focuses on team building and leadership skills. The curriculum includes group process skills, team leadership methods, and hands-on experience.

25. Goals for AVP workshops An AVP workshop can help you • Understand why conflict happens • Manage strong feelings such as anger and fear. • Deal more effectively with risk and danger • Build good relationships with other people • Communicate well in difficult situations • Recognize the skills you already have and learn new ones • Be true to yourself while respecting other people

26. Who is AVP • AVP is worldwide network of volunteers who train people to gain an understanding of their own ability to transform Personal Power. • AVP is open to all ages, backgrounds and genders.  • Although we receive support from Our Quaker Friends. AVP workshops are not allied to a particular faith or sect.

27. Volunteering with AVP • If you would like to participate in an AVP workshop in a Massachusetts Department of Correction facility, contact the AVP prison coordinator of the facility nearest you via www.avpma.org • To complete the AVP training and become a facilitator, a person must participate in these weekend workshops. • Basic, • Advanced, • Training for Facilitators • Then serve as an apprentice facilitator in an actual workshop.

28. Hosting an AVP workshop in your community • Contact www.avpma.org, to inquire about a full 3 day workshop or an introductory session of four to eight hours. • Costs for the workshop are determined on the needs of the situation, building rental costs, certificates for participants, and refreshments need to be taken into consideration. • The AVP volunteer Facilitators are not paid for their service. A suggested donation of 25 dollars per person to AVP MA would be appreciated.

29. But who do I contact to volunteer • MCI–Concord and Northeast Correctional Center Facilities. Coordinator Nancy Shippen is seeking qualified AVP facilitators for workshops and outside participants who may want to become facilitators or pursue other volunteer programs in the prisons. Also, an AVP support group meets weekly at MCI-Concord. • MCI–Shirley Medium and Minimum Facilities. Coordinator Nancy Shippen is responsible for the scheduling and volunteer staffing of all workshops taking place at these two facilities.  Shirley Medium has 12 workshops each year. Shirley Minimum currently has 4 to 6 workshops a year. Also, an AVP support group meets weekly at MCI-Shirley Medium. • Souza Baranowski Maximum Security Facility in Lancaster (on MCI-Shirley grounds). Coordinator Patrick Parker-Roach is responsible for the scheduling and volunteer staffing of all workshops. If volunteer facilitators are available, Patrick tries to provide at least four workshops per year.  This facility does not allow outside participants and is dependent on experienced facilitators trained at other facilities.  There are two distinct prison populations at SBCC. Currently, AVP workshops are being offered on the North side only. • MCI-Norfolk Facility. CoordinatorsJoan Russell and Susan Jordan are responsible for the scheduling and volunteer staffing of all workshops.  This program began in March 2007. With the beginning of a six-month cycle in February 2008, there will be monthly workshops. Outside participants and facilitators are welcome and should contact a coordinator. • Old Colony Correctional Center (OCCC) . Coordinators Jo-Ann DellaGiustinaand Donna Molloy are responsible for the handling of workshops. This program, new in 2006, hopes to provide one workshop a month for the general population and several a year in the Special Housing Unit (SHU). • MCI-Cedar Junction. Coordinator Kathy Rubenstein is responsible for the handling of workshops. This is a new program in 2010 and trained facilitators are needed.

30. Stay in Touch with AVP-MA • www.avpma.org • Address • AVP Massachusetts PO Box 333 Concord, MA 01742 • Facilitators • Nancy Shippen nancyshippen@comcast.net • Jo-Ann Dellagiustina jdellagiustina@bridgew.edu • Susan Jordan sargjord@comcast.net • Joan Russell jyrussell@norwoodlight.com • Kathy Rubenstein kathyrubenstein@comcast.net • Donna Molloy cdonnam33@aol.com • Presenter contact information • Prue Prentice Prueitt@earthlink.net • Phone 214-708-1666

31. References • Statistics for National Network to End Domestic Violence, 2009 http://www.janedoe.org/know/DVAM_2010_Facts_Stats.pdf • Alternatives to Violence Project International http://www.avpinternational.org/ • Alternatives to Violence Project – Massachusetts http://avpma.org/ • Alternatives to Violence Project USA http://avpusa.org/ • Alternatives to Violence Project Tampa http://www.avptampabay.org/ • Inspirational Quotes : Marianne Williamson, Herman Melville • AVP Manuel Basic Course – http://avpusa.org/