Workshops that Make a Difference
Is violence affecting your life?
Are you feeling lost and craving community?
Or do you need help managing your relationships?
We don’t heal in isolation,
but in community.
……….
S. Kelley Harrell
About AVP WA
Nick’s Story
Learn about how Nick, a past participant, managed to turn his life around with the help and guidance of AVP WA.
When You Hear The Word Violence
Watch inmates participating in the APV Workshop in the USA.
Our Mission
At AVP WA, our mission is to improve the lives of those in need by empowering people to transform violence into non-violence in their families and in their communities.
The fundamental belief in AVP is that there is a power for peace in everyone, available to those who are open to it. AVP builds on a spiritual base of respect and care for self and others.
Our History
The Alternatives to Violence Project began in 1975. An inmate group at Green Haven Prison (New York) was working with youth gangs and teenagers at risk.
This workshop was so successful that requests were received for more, and AVP was born.
AVP currently conducts hundreds of workshops each year in Australia.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
5th & 12th April 2025
Advanced Workshop
Those who have completed a Peaceful Pathways Workshop are invited to participate in an Advanced level workshop where we delve deeper into our healing. Some common themes explored are: fear, anger, self control, empathy, power and powerlessness and forgiveness.
9am - 5pm Mt Lawley
Contribution Costs
The price for our workshops are $120 for waged participants and $60 for concession.
However, we do not exclude anyone on the basis of ability to pay, so please feel free to ask for assistance.
We provide lunch, morning and afternoon tea. All materials needed are supplied.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question.
What does AVP WA do?
AVP offers experience-based workshops that help us to become more aware of the violence in our lives and how we can find creative, rather than destructive, ways of resolving conflicts.
Who are the people in AVP WA?
We are ordinary people from all walks of life who volunteer our time and energy to help rid our communities of violence. We are not counsellors, psychologists, or therapists. All facilitators go through training with AVP before running workshops.
What is the purpose of AVP and what do you hope to achieve?
The purpose of AVP is to empower people to transform violence into non-violence in their families and in their communities.
How do you do it? What is a workshop like?
Each session in a workshop is based on a particular theme and is a sequence of activities of different kinds, such as:
Gathering: Collecting information on the topic through discussions and collaborations
Exercise: An activity, discussion or brainstorm on the theme of the session.
Light and lively: This is a game, usually with a lot of movement and laughter, which helps to balance the deeper parts of the workshop.
How is the effectiveness of workshops evaluated?
The effectiveness of our workshops is shown through the abundance of positive feedback received by former participants.
What do participants get out of the workshops?
Participants will leave a workshop with a feeling of exhilaration from having been listened to with respect, having had the goodness in themselves affirmed by others, having gained a new awareness of the presence and effects of violence in their lives and having learned strategies for resolving conflicts in positive, non-violent ways.
When and where are the next workshops and how does one register?
Workshops are scheduled throughout the year or can be organised for specific groups. AVP can also do introductory sessions of 1-3 hours.
See above for our upcoming workshops and to register.
What does AVP stand for?
AVP stands for Alternatives To Violence Project
How can I get involved and help AVP
You can do the course, become a Facilitator and help others. Please contact us if you would like to talk to us for more information.
You can also donate. If you would like to financially contribute please go here.