Sierra Foothills AVP

09/24/2025

Can You Stay Calm in a Time of Outrage?

The world doesn’t need more anger, however righteous. It needs people who can hold on to moral clarity and stay true to their values.

The world doesn’t need more anger, however righteous. It needs people who can hold on to moral clarity and stay true to their values.

09/22/2025

I hope you'll join us for our next community Basic AVP (Alternatives to Violence Project) workshop, the next two Saturdays at the Unitarian church in Grass Valley (546 S. Church St). Saturdays Sept 27 and Oct 4, 9-5:30 (come at 8:30 for bagels, coffee, and other wonderful things). Lunch and snacks also provided.

AVP is a community-based program that teaches people how to handle conflicts peacefully and creatively - in other words, without violence (which is not always physical!)

Workshops are volunteer-led and are fast-paced, fun, and deep. We offer workshops at Wayne Brown (the jail) and in the community. Anyone who wants to see what AVP is, anyone wanting to become a facilitator, and everyone in between will be warmly welcomed.

Check it out - you'll be glad you did!

Call 530-263-3423 for info or to sign up.

08/21/2025

Join us for our next community AVP (Alternatives to Violence Project) workshop at the Unitarian Church in Grass Valley! Two Saturdays - 9/27 and 10/4, 9am - 5:30pm.
Coffee, Bagels, snacks, and lunch provided.

AVP is a community based program that teaches people how to handle conflicts peacefully and creatively - without violence, which is not always physical.

Workshops are volunteer-led and are fast-paced, fun, and deep. We offer workshops at the jail and in the community.

Check it out - you'll be glad you did, and you might want to become a facilitator after you see how amazing it is!

08/15/2025

Forgiveness isn’t just good for the soul, it rewires your brain for peace and healing.

Forgiveness can be a powerful tool for emotional healing—but it’s also one of the most complex processes to support in clinical work. What does the science t...

08/15/2025

Lonely parents aren’t alone, here’s how connection can change everything.

Parenting can sometimes make us feel isolated and alone, and it takes time and effort to reach out and build supportive relationships.

08/11/2025

Hello, Sierra Foothills! Thank you for looking at our page!

I'll answer some common questions here; you can also message us if you're interested in a workshop, or in becoming a facilitator. We're growing and changing - stay tuned.

Most common question: What IS the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP)?

Excellent question, alert reader! Read on:
• AVP is a community-based program that teaches people how to handle conflicts peacefully and creatively – how to resolve conflicts without violence.

• Violence is not always physical – it includes emotional abuse, neglect, name-calling and even “the silent treatment.” We’ve all experienced it. And we’ve all done it.

• AVP workshops are volunteer-led and always voluntary for attendees.

• Workshops are fast-paced, fun, and powerful. AVP facilitators don’t lecture or preach, but instead share AVP concepts and then participate equally in the circle.

• Workshops have been offered in prisons, schools, and communities with remarkable results: decreased prison violence and recidivism, decreased bullying, and improved relationships.

• The response to workshops is overwhelmingly positive – participants report feeling safe being themselves, and surprised at how much fun they had. They also report improvement in their relationships, and feeling connected to other participants on a deeper level than before.

AVP was started over 50 years ago by prisoners in Greenhaven Prison in New York, who enlisted local "outside" people, including Quakers, to help. It’s now offered in more than 40 countries worldwide.

Through interactive workshops, AVP helps people develop communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills and develop stronger, more compassionate relationships in all parts of their lives.

AVP transforms how people relate to each other and, more important, how they see themselves.