ALTERNATIVES TO VIOLENCE PROJECT CALIFORNIA

I. Purpose and Methods of AVP Program

A. The primary purpose of AVP groups is to offer individual tools for personal empowerment, enabling them to live their lives with dignity and self-respect. AVP facilitators serve the community by leading workshops with the goal of enhancing individual skills for peaceful reduction of conflict.

B. Our method is experiential; we use a minimum of lecture. We believe that people have within themselves answers to their questions and problems. We encourage each other to search for solutions within ourselves, drawing on our own experiences and those of our communities.

C. Workshops endeavor to break down the barriers that prevent people from revealing their inner selves, thus enabling them to form friendships with other individuals, and to build a community.

AVP/California does not discriminate in any of its policies, appointments or other activities on account of race, sex, sexual orientation, age or religious conviction. AVP/California does not engage in political action or lobbying and does not promote any specific political view as an organization. Members may not espouse a political position in the name of AVP/California or as AVP facilitators. AVP/California is nondenominational and does not promote any religious doctrine. The programs of AVP/California are educational in nature, and are not psychotherapy.