Alternatives to Violence Project, Central Valley (CA)

The Alternatives to Violence Project brings people together to strengthen relationships, develop practical conflict-resolution skills, and work toward ending violence in our communities and world. Despite the name, AVP is actually about more than violence prevention—our workshops foster trust, teamwork, self esteem, and creative problem-solving in difficult situations, making them a useful professional development tool for anyone working closely with people.

With over 50 years in prisons, schools, and other settings around the world, AVP is unique because it's experiential. Rather than a lecture or slideshow, participants learn through practical, hands-on exercises and discussion. These activities help to break down stereotypes, foster a sense of belonging, and enable people discover our ability to transform conflict. While deeply meaningful, it’s also fun and full of laughter! This is hard to describe; you really have to experience it.

In addition to our volunteer-run AVP programs in prisons and jails, we also offer free workshops for nonprofits, agencies, congregations, businesses, service clubs, and community groups throughout the Central Valley.

• No cost to participants
• Meals provided
• Those interested can choose to complete additional free training to become certified volunteer facilitators, bringing this life-changing program to others (in prisons, other institutions, or in the broader community)

In a moment of rising fear, division, and everyday conflicts that touch families, schools, neighborhoods, and public life, AVP offers a hopeful invitation: to learn peace not as an abstract ideal but as a lived practice. We welcome people from all walks of life---AVP is open to anyone who wants to contribute to greater harmony in their family, workplace, or community.