The

Supporting and Celebrating the Facilitators of AVP Workshops

Autumn 2015

The

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INSIDE THIS ISSUECOVER STORYYouth Leadership 1, 6

FOCUS ON:AVP FOR HIRE?Contextualizing 1, 4

Values and Visions 5

AVP for Hire 8

Paying Facilitators 9

Volunteering 9

AVP for Hire 11

REGULARSEditor’s Note 2

Five Minutes With… 5

Carceral Continuum 7

Reach Out! 8

Poetry for Peace 10

AVP Order Form 11

AVP: A Youth Leadership ProgramBy REVOLUTIONARY RENATA, PERPETUAL PAULO, NAMASTE NATHALIE, AMIGO ANDY, AWESOME ABBY, POTEN-TIAL PATRICIA, JUST JOSE, SMILEY STUART AND EQUALIZE-IT ELŻBIETAAVP Summer Camp 2015 Afive-yeardreambecamearealityinthesummerof2015when22youngpeopleparticipatedina2-weekleadershipcampattheQuakermeetinghouseinChatham,NewJersey.Campparticipantswerebilingual(Spanish-andEnglish-speaking),rangedfrom11to16yearsoldandrepresented5differentlocalschools.Facilitatorsfortheworkshops were predominantly youngthemselves,between17and25yearsold.Resourcesmadethecampmoreinclusive

andcreatedtheconditionstomakeyouthparticipationrealandeffective:5youngfacilitatorsgotpaidastipend.ThewindsbeneaththesailsofthisambitiousprojectwereWindoftheSpirit,animmigrantadvocacygroupinMorristown,NJ,AVP-NJandAVP-USA,Chatham-SummitMonthlyMeetingandNewYorkYearlyMeeting. CampmorningsweredevotedtoBasicandAdvancedAVPWorkshops.Intheafternoons,participantsenjoyedswimming,crafts,filmmaking,yoga,activegamesandatriptoTheNewarkMuseum.Attheendofthetwoweeks,participantsenthusi-asticallysignedonformonthlyreunionsandawinterTrainingforFacilitators(T4F)weekendworkshop.Wehopenextyear’scampwillbefacilitatedbygraduatesofthisfirst-in-the-nationAVPyouthleadershipcamp.

Contextualizing AVPBy PERFECT PETERX TheAlternativestoViolencePro-gramme(NotProjectasitisnowmorethanaproject)hasdevelopedandgrownbeyondthedreamsofthosewhostartedit.FromalowlyspaceinGreenhavenPrisoninNewYorktoalmosteverycontinentonearth,in60countriesandstillcounting,Icanbettheydidn’tseeit

coming.AVP’sgrowthcamewithalotofdiversities,beliefs,perspectivesandopinions;anditisstillastrugglebe-tweenthegenerations.Incidentally,ourideas,ideals,standardsandprinciplesasitconcernstheprogrammehavenotchangedmuchin40years.

2 A Publication of AVP/USA

Autumn 2015 The Transformer

The TRANSFORMER is a quarterlypublication of the Alternativesto Violence Project of theUnited States of America.

Editorial Coordinators: elżbietaputrycz and Ed SabinCopy Editor: Joan CowanEditorial copy for the newsletterand requests for “Guidelines forSubmission” should be e-mailedto editor@avpusa.org. If no internet capability, mail to:The TransformerP.O. Box 295, Franklin NY 13775. Graphic Design: Four Winds Graphics

First year as new facilitator is free(submitted by local coordinator).

Back issues may be found atwww.thetransformer.usThis newsletter is printed

on recycled paper.

Editor’s Note: “AVP for Hire?” Leads to Further Questions

The question, “Should AVPfacilitatorsgetpaidforfacilitatingworkshops?”wasmeanttoinvite

a deep interrogation of our priorities,valuesandvisions.Somemightsayitissimple: our priority asAVP facilitatorsis to facilitate workshops – to guidewhateverhappens inside theworkshop,and leave it to the participants carrythat magic outside the workshop. Yet,AVPdoesnothappeninavacuum.Ourworkhappensinrealplacesandaffectsrealcommunitiesofpeople.Weallhavestakesintheworkwedo,andlet’sfaceit;wedon’tallcometo thisworkfromequal levelsofprivilege,power,wealthor financial stability. Our needs in lifeshapeourvalues.

The TRANSFORMER Autumn 2015 presents a diverse discussion of val-ues. Facilitators such as Joyous JosephandNovelNadineaskus touphold thevalueofvolunteering.AsJoyousJosephwrites,nonviolenceis thework.LikableLisaandDiscerningDianeoffervisions

of affordable, acces-sible and culturallyrelevant AVP work-shopsthatservecom-munitiesfromAfricanAmerican SouthCar-olina to IndigenousAlaska. Dizzy Davespeaks fromEastandCentral Africa wherestipends for facilita-tors have increasedworkshop availabilityfor nearly 15 years.He highlights the re-lationship betweenmoneyandpowerandasksustothinkabout“cultural imperial-

ism”intheU.S.context.Whatcontext(s)doyouworkin,andhowdoesthisshapeyourvalues?

I hope the questions provoked herecatalyze dialogues about our values asan organization. I hope we build ourvisions not based on our individualcircumstances but from the dreamsand desires of our communities. Our

communitiesarediverseandholdmanydifferent dreams.The TRANSFORMER Winter 2015 willfocusondiversity.

What does diversity mean in yourcommunity?Howdodifferencesofrace,ethnicity,language,gender,class,ability,ornationalityaffectyouandAVP?AVPchapters across the country have askedfor facilitator trainings around issuesof racism and privilege. On the emaillist-serve, facilitators have discussedbehavioral and learning differenceswithin aworkshop and how to addressthesewithcare.AsChrisTinsondiscussesin this issue’sCarceral Continuum, theBlackLivesMattermovementhashelpedbring the issue of anti-black violenceandracismtotheforefront.BLMalongwith other movements, organizationsand communities are working to raiseawareness around intersecting issuessuch as mass incarceration, sexualassaultandviolenceagainsttransgendercommunities,particularlytranspeopleofcolor.AVPgroupshaveidentifiedtargetissuessuchasmentalillnessandacrossthe world people continue to seek outinnovative ways of supporting mentalhealthintheircommunities.HowdoweaddressthesedifferentissueswithAVP?Howdowebuild communitybasedonhonesty, respect and caring when weourselves often hold judgments, biases,grudgesandmisunderstandings?

Weshouldnotcelebratediversitywithoutconfronting privilege and oppression.Wecannotclaimtobeanti-racistwithoutresisting white supremacy in our dailylives. We will not help save the livesof transgender people without firstbecomingawareoftheissuesourselves.Thesearenoteasythingstotalkabout.Solet’sstarttalking.

Peace,

EQUALIZE-ITELŻBIETA

Check out our new column Carceral Continuum!

We have initiated the practice of publishing first and affirmation names only – no surnames unless requested.

What do you think of The TRANSFORMER? Write to us!

Winter 2015 Submissions Deadline: November 15th

A Publication of AVP/USA 3

The Transformer Autumn 2015

Way of Life, not Career of LifeBy JOYOUS JOSEPH “Peace…it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.” (Anonymous) Peaceandblessings!MynameisJo-sephAiken.DOC#74B1052.MyAVPtrainingbeganin1976afterhavingmetDr.Apseyin1975todiscussAVPanditsimplementationatWallkillCorrec-tionalFacility.IwasawestruckwhenIwenttoTacoma,Washingtontofacili-tateRecoveryToPractice(birthchildofAVP) thisMay, and foundmyselfin themidst of the 40th yearGather-ing!IdiscoveredthatAVPwasbeingpresented in 60 countries in publicschools, police departments, correc-tionalfacilitiesandcommunityagen-cies. First, Iwant to relatemypersonalexperience.Whatimpressedmemost,beyond the context of AVP, was thewillingness of the facilitators to travellong distances to relay the message ofTransforming Power for peace. ThesepioneersreliedonassistancefromQuak-ersandotherstoaidthemwithhousing,transportation, food,etc.Theworkwasinthespirit,givenfreely.Thesemenandwomenbelieved inwhat theyweredo-

ing, had purpose and challenged us toblazetrails. Second,Iwanttosharemythoughts.AVPhasbeensuccessfulovera40-yearperiodinspreadingthewordandplant-ingtheseedsofnonviolencethroughouttheworld.Wehavedonesomeamazingthings!We have stayed away from the

traditional “job-related" issues such aswages, vacations, time clocks, etc. DrApsey’s philosophywas the “work” ofnonviolence! I am not opposed to some level ofcompensation/stipend in some areasofAVP such as travel, training events,gatherings (in/out of state) and somespecificlevelsofadministration.Letus

notforgetthatAVPisa“wayoflife”nota“careeroflife.” Inretrospect,wehavegainedsomuchby applying our values and moral in-sights through the trials, tribulations,consistency and longevity without the“dollar”hangingoverourheads.Forcit-izensreturning,Icanrelatetotheneedtobeemployed,especiallydoingwhatyoulove todo!Aswith thepioneers, Ihademploymentopportunities thataffordedmetheopportunitytodoAVPwork. Finally,thisishowIseethings.Asinall things, our decisions are consensusbased!We view all aspects. We makechoices. We focus on AVP and whatworks. In the end, our spirits will re-vealwhatisnecessaryandhowwecanachieveagrowthworthyresult. TheFreedomRiders,CivilRightsac-tivists,andcitizensfromallwalksoflifehavekeptthestrugglegoing,relyingonour unity and determination to Trans-formPowerforpeace.

Joyous Joseph is an AVP facilitator in New York.

AVP for Hire… There has been much discussion inAVP circles as to the validity of creat-ingsomeformofpermanentstipendforfacilitators doingworkshops.Themainfocusof this discussionhasbeen thosewho were formerly incarcerated andfunctioning in AVP in society. It alsoencompassesyoungpeoplewhoareat-tractedtoAVPandarebeingencouragedto become facilitators. This should belookedonascompensationforthetimeandenergyofpersonswillingtosacrificetheirweekendstodothisvitalwork.ForreturningcitizenstodoAVPismajor.Forteens to do it is awesome. Poor, strug-glingpeopleandyoungpeoplehavenotonlyneedsbuttimeconstraintsthatareimportant. Currently, AVP is the work

ofmostlyolderretiredwhitevolunteers.Thisisnotasustainablemodel.IfAVPistocontinueintofuturegenerations,wemustlosetheattitudethatunlessAVPisall-volunteerithasnovalue.AlloverAf-ricaAVPpeoplearepaid,andtheworkflourishes.This isbecause theneedsoftheworkersaresetabovephilosophyasitshouldbe. Until we apply this attitude here inAmerica,AVPwillcontinuetobemost-ly white, elderly and affluent or otherpeople who can afford to volunteer. Ifweopenoureyestowhoshouldberep-resentingAVP (thepeoplewho learnedit in prison), we will meet their needsand structureAVP to become the forceit shouldbe:adynamic, transformative

tidal wave that flows over the prisonwalls and cascades into communitiesacrossthecountry.

JUSTICE SEEKING J, AVP-USA

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IMAGES: TP Mandala pics

WehavethreeschoolsofthoughtintheAVPfamily:1. AVPisavolunteerprogramme,andeverybodyandeverythingmustbevolunteerandvolunteering.

2. AVPisavolunteer-drivenprogramme.Youvolunteeryourtime,butyoudon’thavetovolunteeryourpocket;thus,itisOKfortheprogrammetopaytravel,accommodationandmealsbutnostipendisprovidedforfacilitators.

3. AVPisavolunteerprogramme,butitisokaytopayastipendforfacilitators,especiallywhenthevolunteersareunem-ployedorcannotaffordtogivetheirtimetotheprogramme.

Alltheseschoolsofthoughtinvolvevolunteers.Thereexistthreeclassificationsofvolunteersinourpresentday:PassionVolunteer,ServiceVolunteerandProfessionVolunteer.PassionVolunteersarefacilitatorswhocanaffordtoworkforfree–theymightberetiredandhavepension,savings,investment,etc.Tothem,AVPisafull-timeand100%volunteerprogramme.Ser-vicevolunteerscanvolunteertofacilitateworkshops,butcannotaffordtopayfortravel,accommodationandmeals.Professionvolunteersarethosewhogivetheirknowledgeandexpertiseatastipend.Thefeepaidtothesefacilitatorsisfarlessthanwhattheynormallywouldchargeoraccepttodothejob.Atrainedfacilitatorgoestofacilitateaworkshop,putsin16–22hoursandisgiven$20-$100aspayment.Isthatwhatthecommitment,preparation,timeareworth?

CHALLENGEUnlessAVPisallowedtooperateasitsuitsthecontext,wewillhaveproblems.Youhaveaninsidefacilitator,averyfantasticfacilitator.Thepersonisalwayswillingtofacilitate,isaleadfacilitatorandwillingtofacilitateeveryworkshopandthengetsoutanddoesnotcometofacilitateworkshopsagain.Wethencomplainthatourgoodinsidefacilitatorsstayawayfromworkshopswhentheygetout.Theircontexthaschanged,butwehaverefusedtonoticeorchangetomeettheirpresentcontext. Whileontheinside:noworriesaboutbills(medical,gas,rent,meals,accommodation,etc.)–allpaidforbythestate;thus,youneedactivities.AVPisoneyouenjoysowell.Yourlovefortheprogrammeandyourinterestinfacilitatinghavenotdimin-ished;rather,theyarecontendingwithbasicneedsinyourpresentcontext.Thus,youwouldratherspendthetimehustlingforthemeanstomeetyourneedsthanvolunteer. AVPneedstolookatthecontextwithinwhichitisoperatingandwhatworksforthegoodofall—theprogramme,thecom-munity,participantsandfacilitators.Nomatterwhereyoustand,youcan’ttakeawaythefactthatAVPworksonprinciplesthatwork. Expectthebest!!!!

Perfect Peterx is an AVP facilitator in Northern Nigeria and travels throughout Africa for his work with AVP.

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Contextualizing AVP...

AVP for Hire? It is clear that voluntarism is a bigthing in this country and in other partsof the world as well. Inmy view, thatis good. I’ve been taught to give backandbeavolunteerallmylife.I’vebeenblessedbycaringadultsaroundmylifethathavebroughtmetotheunderstand-ingofmyprivilegesandmyduties.Thisisfundamentalforthemovementofpro-gressive,peacefulchange.Whatismiss-ing,inmyview,inthisdiscussionisthatvoluntarism is aprivilege in itself.Themovement can be a lot stronger if it isinclusive;andinordertobeinclusive,itneedstobreakthebarrierofprivilege. AsmydearpartnerDianaremindsusin every email: “It is absolutely essen-tialthattheoppressedparticipateintherevolutionary process with an increas-ingly critical awarenessof their role as

subjects of the transformation.” Weneedtocreatetheconditionstomaketheparticipation real and effective.Havingyouth facilitate is one part; but havingresources–yes,CASH,availableisan-otherimportantpart.Weshouldbeableto say that Peace Pays. We should beable to “hire”more andbetter than thearmy,thanMcDonald's. Abetterworldispossibleifwelookatprivilege straight in theeye, everyday,recognizeitandaskourselves:Whatarewedoingtobringitdown?WehaveinAVParevolutionarytooloftransforma-tionbutweneedtoletittransformour-selvesfirst.

SMILEY STUART, AVP-USA

AVP for Hire?Iamsopleasedtoseethisconversa-tionhappening.Ithinkitisimportantfor AVP facilitators to be paid be-cause–especiallyhereinSouthAfri-cawhereunemploymenthasreacheda dangerous level –AVP facilitationcanbea rewardingcareer formany.AVP’s extensive international net-workoffersexcitingopportunitiesfortravelandinterculturalsharing,whichisespeciallyattractiveandbeneficialfor young people. I voteYES, let’spayAVPfacilitators!Thosewhocanaffordtovolunteertheirtimecanstilldo so, or they can donate their sti-pendstoAVP.

SHINING SHENA, AVP-SOUTH AFRICA

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The Transformer Autumn 2015

Our Values and VisionsBy LIKEABLE LISA WhenIthinkoftheAlternativestoViolenceProgram(AVP)workshopmodel,Ithinkintermsofvalue.Specifically,Icon-siderhowthoseofuswhofacilitateAVPworkshopsfindgreatworthinthewaytheworkshopisconstructedandoftencus-tomizedtomeetthegroupwheretheyareat,whichincreasesthevalueof theworkshopexperience foreachparticipant. IconsiderhoweffectivelyAVPhelpsusfindalternativestotheviolenceswedailyface.TheAVPmodelisworthitsweightingold. So,howdowehonorthevalueoftheAVPworkshopmodelandvalue theinvestmentinprovidingAVP?Iamconcernedabout the terriblyhighand tragic suicide rate inAlaskaandhowtoempowerthoselivinginruralnativevillagestoaddressviolenceandbringmorepeacetotheircommunitiesandfami-lies–inhonorofeldersandusingthetoolsofAVP.AsAlaska’s

policymakers consider Criminal Justice Reform (CJR) andhowtoreducerecidivismratesduringthefirstthreemonthsasformerinmatesreturnintotheircommunities,Ithinkaboutourreturningcitizensandask:HowcanthevalueofAVPbeputtopracticehere? I have a vision that is also a question:Howcan theAVPmodelbeutilizedtohelptransformandhealthoseinterestedinandinneedofpeace,nonviolentwaysoflivingandconflictresolutionskillsandsustainthoseofusinterestedinemploy-mentorfinancialsupport? Iseepossibilityallaroundus.ItisthisheartbeatthatkeepsmemovingforwardandmotivatedtovisualizethevalueoftheAVPmodel, challengemy thinking and consider out-of-the-boxideas.

Likeable Lisa is an AVP facilitator in Alaska.

AVP for Hire?I received a stipend for facilitatingAVPinschoolsinBuffalo,NYthroughtheAlternativestoViolenceinSchools(AviS) program through theWesternNew York Peace Center (WNYPC).Thecontactattheschoolexplainedtous that ifweoffered theprogram forfree, theBoard of Education and thehigher-upswouldquestionthevalidityof the program.They place value onprograms that price themselves high.

Bychargingtheschoolsforthework-shops, theWNYPC was able to paythe facilitators a stipend, reinvest intheAviSprogramandimplementAVPinthatschool.Havingfacilitatorsgetpaidinnowaydiminishedtheimpactof the program and, by doing so,wegainedaccesstotheschool.

MOTIVATED MARY KAY, AVP-USA

Five Minutes with… Free FloInterviewed by Equalize-it Elżbieta Adjective Name: FreeFloHometown: Arizona,Nebraska,Texas…WegotoutofTexaslikeourtailswereonfire!Favorite AVP activities: Crossover.ConcentricCircles.Factsand Feelings. Empathy Exercise. Empathywas a chance toobservepeoples’challengesandnotbe toovague…just talkaboutthestuffandfindoutwhathappens.How did you and AVP happen? I met someone through aCatholicgatheringwhocameinandsaid,“Iknowthatsinceyou’rehere,you’reinterestedinthiskindofthing.”ShetalkedaboutAVPandjustknockedmysocksoff.Atthatpointtherewerenooutsideworkshops,soI just jumpedintoacarwithsomeonewhohadalreadybeengoingintotheprisons.EasternwasoneoftheonesIspentalotoftimein.What connected your AVP work inside with your work out-side of prison? Well,theguysjustkeptaftermeuntilIwasblownoutofthewater:“Doworkwiththekids…Weshouldnothavetowaituntilwe’reinprisontohearaboutthisstuff.”AndIhadtoagreewiththat.

Finally whathappenedwas,in our schoolhere in town,a kid shot ateacher in theface in theclassroom. Iwroteanotetothe principaland just said,“Can I be ofhelp?Whatdoyou think?” Itookawholeyearofrelatingtothestaffandallthepeopleinthehighschool…anditstarted.Advice for Youth Workshop facilitators: Keep it light. Thekidswillstaywithyouifyoudo.Itdoesn’tmeanyouhavetobeinconsequentialorfocusonthesilly.Bethere,bereal.

Free Flo and Star (left) with AVP-NY school coordinators and youth facilitators

Fighting the Epidemic of Violence After 27 years as anAVP facilitatorand 15 years coordinating the landingstrip support group, I know we needto change our approach to peace. WouldIpayforpeace?Iftheviolencein my community dropped by payingan army of AVP peace makers to doworkshops would this be the price I'mwilling to pay? The simple answer isyes.Yestopeaceinourcommunities!RAD RAY, AVP-USA

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Reflections from Facilitators, Co-ordinators and Support Staff Over 30 people got together for over 3 months, not counting years of dream-ing, to plan and facilitate a unique ex-perience. AVP was the center the whole time or at least most of the time, where we learned and relearned how to listen to each other, affirm each other, cry and laugh with each other.

I enjoyed providing the journal-mak-ing materials and watching them play. They came up with a variety of artistic possibilities. Each person created some-thing unique that was an expression of their personality.

The film course gave participants a little training in film itself, but the more important aspect was to give the stu-dents an opportunity to reflect on what they had learned in this different medi-um. I thought they did an amazing job in a short amount of time and produced interesting work.

It was eye-opening to know that so many young kids don’t actually have people and a space in their lives where they can freely share how they feel. I saw the power of AVP when people started sharing more. This camp was a learn-ing experience. We need more of these camps, and we need to create more of these spaces because kids just barely know how to communicate anymore, es-pecially with the increase of technology.

The possibilities for transformation are really there, and it was just humbling to be able to facilitate that.

AVP with Youth Matters Buildingcommunityandalliesisdif-ficultwork.Ittakescourage,andsome-timesthatcourageneedssupport.ThisishowAVPcampdiffersfromanotherreg-ularsummercamp.It’smorethanacom-munity—it’sasupportsystem.Itiskindofpainfultosaythatyouhavetobuildalliestosurvive,butifyouarebuildingalliesforapositivecause,thatisagreatidea.Thiscampwasanopportunityfor

youthtogettogetheranddiscussissuesgenerallynotdiscussedinschoolsandathome,inanin-depth,personalandsafeway. They got to develop communica-tion and listening skills they can applytotheirlives,withawholenewsupportsystem they did not have before. Oneof our youngest participants (age 12)wenthomeandtaughtherfamilymem-bers, including her 8-year-old cousin,I-messages.Ifyouthhaveanexperienceofnonviolentcommunity,fortherestoftheirlifetheywillentertainthepossibil-itythatpeoplecanearneachother’strustandbuildcommunity.

Young people are the future.We arebuilding theworld together and, at theendoftheday,ourdecisionsmattercol-lectively, even if we don’t think theymatter.InorderforyouthtoparticipateinAVPworkshops,communitieshavetorecognize our needs:weneedmentors,

peersupport,safespacestoexpressour-selves and opportunities to develop asleaders.When youth can participate inandfacilitateAVPworkshops,weaffirmthevalueofour life experiences, abili-tiesandpotential.Whenyouthfacilitateworkshops,our leadershiproleshelptoshape and sustainAVP for generationsto come. This summer in New Jersey,

twenty-twokidsweregiven thechancetosee thatweareallacommunityandthatwearebetterandstrongertochangetheworldwhenwe learnhow to listenand affirm each other. We hope AVPCamps continue to develop across thecountry!

Contributors to this article are youth and adult AVP facilitators, volunteer coordina-tors and support staff from the AVP Youth Summer Camp 2015 in Chatham, New Jer-sey, USA. To learn more about NJ’s AVP Camp, visit avpnjyouth.weebly.com and to get involved with AVP and Youth, email editor@avpusa.org.

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AVP: A Youth Leadership Program...

Playing Machines in AVP Youth Camp

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The Transformer Autumn 2015

Carceral ContinuumNew column focusing on political analysis of the (in)justice system

State Violence and the Black Lives Matter Movement

InarecentconversationpublishedintheNew York Times, social theoristJoy James and philosopher George

Yancy contextualized the current mo-mentasone lockedbetween“griefandaction.” It is this sense of both intenseworry and activist energy that helps usmeasure the role of imprisonment andstate violence in spurring the BlackLivesMattermovement. Joy James puts the matter squarely,stating:

“We need to publicly debatewhether it is just, moral, appro-priate, or even safe and sane, tobelieve in modern policing, giv-en the fallibility, corruption anddanger present in the institution.Policeagencieshaveahistoryofracial bias and violence that hasbeeninvestigatedandcondemnedby governments as well as civiland human rights organizations.Citizens are supposed to flee orfightcriminals,notthepolice.Butreality teaches you that in blacklife you need to be ever vigilantforboth.”

Noamountof “black successes” candiscount the hard, bloody deaths toomany Black lives have sufferedwithinand outside of prison walls. Each kill-ingofanunarmedBlackandBrownlifeat the hands of a policing agency (742thisyearalone)orcarceralinstitutionorthe conditions of existence that lead toso-called Black-on-Black violence rep-resents what scholar Frank Wildersoncallsthe“carceralcontinuum,”wherein

theabilityof living,breathingorbeingwhile black ismeasured by ones prox-imityandexposuretostateaggressionin

someform. This continuum links 14-year-oldGeorge Stinney to Oscar Grant, TroyAnthony Davis toAssata Shakur, Mu-mia Abu-Jamal to Vonderrit Myers,TookieWilliamstoTamirRice,Renisha

McBride toClaudeNeal,YuvetteHen-derson to Antonio Zambrano-Montesand Hugo Pinell to Mansur Ball-Bey.America’sprisonsarekeytothisconti-nuity.Forthedestitute,deviantordissi-dentindividualshousedintheseinstitu-tions, the prison epitomizes the loss ofautonomy.Withthatcomesalossofself,identity,senseofhome. The Black Lives Matter movementhas put the issues of police brutality,over-sentencingandcarceralviolenceonthenationalagenda.Ofcourse,theseac-tivistsaremerelyfirst-responderstothetraumabroughtonby lawenforcementagencies.Discussionofdeepreformstocarceral policies and practices will becentral to our nationalconversations on racismandanti-blackpolicing. Organizations suchas Californians Unitedfor a Responsible Bud-get(CURB)haveshownhow disastrous prisonspending has been onthe economic and po-litical wellbeing of thatstate. Activists in manystates are pushing fordrastic reforms to pa-role and probation, and

some, as in Massachusetts, are callingfor the end of cash bail. If imprison-ment trulybecomesanationalconcern,activistswillhavetofocusonstrugglesof formerly and currently incarcer-ated women, one of the fastest grow-

ingprisonpopulations.Itwasonlylast year thatMassachusetts got alaw passed banning shackling ofpregnant women during delivery.Organizations such as the PrisonBirth Project, Families for JusticeasHealingandWomenontheRiseTelling Herstory (WORTH) arepartofbroad,women-ledcoalitionsaimedathighlightingthestoriesofwomen’s encounters with carceralpolicy. Moreover, these organiza-tions support women during andlongaftertheirsentences.

Theseare just someof theexamplesofhowcommunitiesareorganizing fordeep reforms while imagining a worldwithout prisons. Unfortunately, morewillbeneeded ifwe trulyaregoing toputhumanityoverprofitsandloveoverextinguishinghumanlife.

Guest contributor Chris Tinson is a Pro-fessor of Africana Studies at Hampshire College.

Editor’sNote:Sincethisarticlewaswrit-ten,thenumberofblackpeoplekilledbypolicethisyearhasraisedto787.

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Reach Out!How to help sustain and spread AVPJoin our #1500 for 40 Campaign—inhonor ofAVP’s 40th anniversary! SinceMay2015,179 peopleacross thecoun-tryhavegraduatedfromT4FWorkshops.Ourgoalis1,500newfacilitatorsbyMay2016.Hereisonesuccessstory:

AT4FatYorkCIinNiantic,CTgraduated10newinsidefacilita-tors.SomenotesaboutYorkCI:aftertheprogramwasshutdownin 2013, facilitators have beenworkingtirelesslytogetbackin-side.Thissummer,theyhostedaBasic,Advanced,andT4Fwith-inthespanofjustonemonth.

SendinformationaboutyourT4FWork-shops to outreach@avpusa.org or post on AVP-USA Facebook page: www.facebook.com/alternativestovi-olenceprojectusa.

Support our winter fundraiser. Helpus raise money for youth facilitatorsto participate in the May 2016AnnualGathering!Thiswillbeonlythesecondyearthatpeopleunderage18canattendAVP-USA’s Annual Conference. Let’swork together tohelpyoungpeoplegetto Denver! Look for more informationon AVP-USA’s Facebook and in The TRANSFORMER Winter 2015.

AVP-USA’s Public Relations Com-mittee is looking for committed indi-viduals to get involved. If you haveexperience with marketing, graphic de-sign,fundraisingoroutreach,we’dloveto have your support. Please write to outreach@avpusa.orgMeditative Martin serves as AVP-USA National Outreach Coordinator and Vice President of the AVP-USA Boardof Directors.

AVP for HireBy DISCERNING DIANE

First,Ineedtoshareafewthingsaboutme,whichaffectmyperspectiveon“AVPforhire.”IamanolderAfrican-AmericanChristianQuakerwoman.Mybackgroundisinconflictresolutionandcommunityorga-

nizing.MypresentmissionistobecomealicensedChaplainwiththeinten-tions of developing a spiritual retreat and advocacy center for low-incomepeople.

IhaveafewprioritiesinAVP—six,infact:1. AVPworkshopsremainnocostorlowcost;theymustbeaffordable

andavailabletoeveryone.

2. AVPmaterialandworkshopsmaintainauniformstandardofintegrityandprofessionalisminitsworkshopsandfacilitators.

3. Allqualifiedfacilitatorswhowouldliketoparticipateinworkshopsareabletodoso.

4. Iseeaneedforandhaveadesireformorediversityinfacilitators.

5. AVPworkshopscontinuetospread,especiallyinAfrican-Americanandpeopleofcolorcommunities.

6. Prisonworkshopsfocusequallyonstaffaswellasthoseincarcerated.

Iunderstandthatfinancialresponsibilitiescanbeanimpedimenttofacilita-toravailabilityanddiversity.Iseeaneedforfinancialassistanceforfacilita-torswhomayrequireassistanceinordertobeavailabletofacilitate.

Presently,Ihaven’tanimmediatesolutiontothisproblem.Iunderstandthatsomefacilitatorsconductworkshopsforhire,usingAVPmaterials,whilenotusingtheAVPname.Thisisagoodstart.IbelievefindingcreativewaystoshareAVPinformationwhiledevelopingincomeisanecessity.Becomingin-dependentconsultantsandutilizingAVPmaterialsandothermarketableskillsisanavenueworthconsidering.Perhapsgroupsofpeoplecouldworktogether(formingvarioustypesofcorporations)tosecurefunds.

Inconclusion–NO,Idon’tthinkAVPshouldbeforhireatthistime.Person-ally,IthinkAVPhasalotofpotentialbutpresentlyisstillinitsdevelopmentalstageandisnotreadytobemarketedforhire.

AsafirmbelieverinTransformingPowerinallofourlives,inalltypesofsituations,Ithinkthereareanswerstoallofourchallenges.Financialassis-tanceforthoseneedingit,Ibelieve,isoneofourchallengesinAVPthatcanbecomeanopportunity.

Discerning Diane is an AVP facilitator in South Carolina.

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A Publication of AVP/USA 9

The Transformer Autumn 2015

Alternatives to Violence Project and the Experi-ence of VolunteeringBy NOVEL NADINE Thepracticeofnonviolencereliesonvolunteering as a formative experience.Life’stransformingpowermoveswithindirect, unmediated relationships amongpeopleand thenaturalworld.Weexpe-rience transforming power within rela-tionshipsofequalpowerandrespectfordignityandworthofeachpersonandofalllife.Paidfacilitationcannotauthenti-callyreplicatethisdirect,genuinesenseoflove,caringandcompassion. We should note that AVP’s historiccommitment to volunteering applied toparticipants and facilitators, not to ad-ministration.AVP has paid for routine,repetitive, administrative support suchas maintaining manuals, Transform-ingPowercards,communication,news,workshop reports, directory of facilita-tors,historicarchivesandsoforth. Atthesametime,AVPalwayshasen-couraged paid facilitators: “Take parts;takethewholeworkshop…butifyougetpaidorincludeparticipantswithinstitu-tionalpoweroverotherparticipants,justdon’tcallitAVP.”ThefoundersexpectedandencouragedpeopletouseandadaptAVP, whichmany have done.AVP hashad a pronounced influence on a widevariety of social and cultural programsfornearlyhalfacentury. The concern is actually not whetherpeoplecanorwillbepaidforfacilitatingAVP;manypeoplehavedonesofromthebeginning.ThequestioniswhetherAVPwants to take the time toknowabout itandwhether the volunteer core ofAVPwillbelostinthemeantime.

Novel Nadine directs Conscience Studio in New York and coordinates Friends Peace Teams in Asia West Pacific.

Paying AVP FacilitatorsBy DIZZY DAVE TheAfricanGreatLakesInitiativeof theFriendsPeaceTeamsintroducedAVPinRwandain2001,Burundi2002,Kenya2003,NorthandSouthKivuintheDem-ocraticRepublic ofCongo 2005 andTanzania 2006. Iwould guess that in thesecountriesAVPhasdonearound2,000to3,000AVPworkshops since2001,mostlycommunityworkshops.Weal-wayshavegivenAVPfacilitatorsasti-pendequivalentto$10perday,whichisabout60%ofwhattheyshouldre-ceive in East and CentralAfrica forthis kind of facilitation. In essence,they are contributing 40% of theirstipendaslocalsupportforthework-shop. Stipends for the 3 facilitators costs about 30%ofworkshop expenses.Themajorcostisfoodforlunchandteabreak. Our biggest battle here has been not paying the participants for attending theworkshops.Believeitornot,almostallnon-governmentorganizationsinAfricapay“sittingallowances”forpeopletoattendaworkshop.WehavelearnedtotellpeoplethattheywillnotbereceivinganysittingallowancefortheAVPworkshop.Some-timespeopleleavewhentheyrealizetheywillnotbepaid.Myfeelingis:“Fine.Thisistheirchoice,andtheywerenottheoneswhoneededtobeintheworkshop.” CouldweinAfricadoAVPworkshopswithoutpayingastipend?Perhaps,butwewouldneverbeabletodothelargenumberofworkshopswehavebeenabletodo.Sothechoiceisbetweenmanyworkshops,limitedonlybythefundswehave,andfewerworkshops,limitedonlybythenumberoffacilitatorswhoareabletoworkwithoutastipend.Mostofourfacilitatorsareunemployed inaregular jobasaremostpeopleinthisregion.Theirabilitytovolunteerforthreedaysatatimeiscon-strictedbytheneedtoearnsubsistence.Yes,wehavefacilitatorswhoseemtowanttodothisfortheincome,butweweedthemout.Wealsohavethosewhodeclinetofacilitateatthelowstipendwegive.WealwayshavemorethanenoughwillingfacilitatorstocovertheAVPworkshopswedo.Afterthe2008post-electionviolenceinKenya,weweredoingupto10AVPworkshopsperweekforyouthinvolvedintheviolence. ThesituationintheU.S.isdifferent,butIthinkthatreturningcitizenswhohavedifficultygettingemploymentshouldbegivenamodeststipendforleadinganAVPworkshop.YoucancalculatebetterthanIwhat“modest”meansinmonetaryterms.DemandingthatAVPfacilitatorsnotbegivenastipendintheU.S.isculturalimpe-rialismoftheluckyaffluentwhocanaffordtofacilitatevoluntarilytothereturningcitizenswhoareeconomicallydisadvantaged.Dizzy Dave coordinates African Great Lakes Initiative of Friends Peace Teams.

DO YOU KNOW . . . WHO IS THE YOUNGEST AVP FACILITATOR?SubmitthenameandageoftheyoungestfacilitatorinyourcommunitybyNovember 15.WewillannounceresultsinThe TRANSFORMER Winter 2015andonAVP-USAFacebook!

WINTER FUNDRAISERRaise money for YOUTH FACILITATORS to participate in the May 2016 Gathering!!Thiswillbeonly the second year that people underage 18 can attend AVP-USA’s AnnualConference.Let’sworktogethertohelpyoungpeoplegettoDenver!LookformoreinformationonAVP-USA’sFacebook and in The TRANSFORMER Winter 2015.

10 A Publication of AVP/USA

Autumn 2015 The Transformer

Poetry for Peace

A Journey through DarknessBy Joyous Joseph

Perhaps the only way to relate my story is to view it from the eyes of a child…

Where were you?...

When the Beat God came to reign

Where were you?...

When the pain got so great I wanted to die

Where were you?...

When I tried to die again and again

Where were you?...

When the Teacher taught pain instead of reading

Where were you?...

When the only voices were in my head

Where were you?...

When the ray of Peace finally came

Where were you?...

You were standing near

Where were you?...

Whispering in my ear, “You are coming through”

Where were you?...

I call you PEER…

LightBy ANDREW WHITE

Inaworldfilledwithsomanypeople,Wefeeltwiceasmuchpain.Sometimes,somuchpainwefeelasifwe’regoinginsane.Adarkworldwithlittlelight.Lightthatcausesthedarknesstodisappear.Thatlightisthechildrenofourworldthatweshouldholdsodear.Thatlightcanneverbebrightbecauseitdoesn’treachitsfullheight.Thefullheightisn’treachedbecausethesituationisn’tright.Becauseofafightandtheirbadsightthatnight.Innocentchildapuredelightateverysight.Ayoungchildhadtofightforhislife.Afightthathelostbytheendofthenight.Afightheshouldhaveneverhadtofight.Onceagain,becausesomeonedidn’tcare.Theworldjustgotdarkerbecausethere’sonelesslighthere.Fromtheheavens,weknowallofyouarethere.Nowyoumaybethelightthatshineseversobright…

AVP-USA Annual Gathering 2016

We are pleased to announce Denver has the host of the AVP-USA Annual Gathering on May 27 – May 30, 2016 at Regis University. Come join us!

Duringtheconferenceyouwillhaveachanceto: •BeinspiredasyouwitnessthepowerofAVPinlocalcommunitiesand throughouttheworld •MeetnewfriendsandlearnnewwaystobringAVPtoyourcommunity •VisitthebeautifulMile-HighCityandthespectacularRockyMountains

Colorado’sNewFoundations-AVPisplanningtopartnerwithsomeincrediblelocalpeopleandorganizationsthatareworkingtostrengthenourcommunitiesandmovethecriminaljusticesystemfromretributiontowardsrestoration.

Wearelookingforproposalsforconferencesessionsthataddressthefollowingtopics: • EngagingyouthinAVP • StrengtheninglocalAVPgroupsthroughouttheUnitedStates • Addressingthechallengesofracisminoursociety • Takingcareofourselves • ExploringtheroleofAVPinCommunity

Wearealsolookingforproposalsforpre-conferencesessions.PleasesubmityourideastoMargaretBrowneatmargaret@nfnc-avp.org.

A Publication of AVP/USA 11

The Transformer Autumn 2015

AVP for HireBy JOVIAL JON I feel the idea of paying someonea salary to do workshops can lead tocareerAVPers.Although theskillswelearn inAVP are thingswewill carrywithuseverywhere,oftenwhenitbe-comesyourjobitnolongerisapassionforyou. Itbecomesanother thing thatyoudo, and itgoes fromapassionatesharingofyourlovetoanofficialdis-seminationof informationwhichgoescounter toAVP. I do feel, ifAVP canafford it, that reimbursement for timelostatworkaswellastravelandhotelexpenses is very acceptable. It wouldlightentheburdenforthosethatcannotaffordtodoworkshops.This,ofcourse,raises the issue of needing money to

paythestipends. One thing that’shappenedhere isawealthy person donated a building tothe outsideAVPcommunity, and theyhave the AVP living room in Philly.It is aplacewhereworkshopswill beconductedandpeoplecanhangout ina positive atmosphere. TheAVP "liv-ing room" isonewaywecan supportreturning citizens who come out ofprison with wonderful skills. Return-ingcitizensshouldbetappedintoaswedealwith lotsofplaceswherewecanuseTransformingPowerandmakecre-ativeadaptationstobesuccessfulinournon-violentpursuit.I’veheardofcaseswhere someone threw hot oatmeal on

someonewhoisextremelyviolent,andhesimplytookadeepbreath,askedtheperson tobea littlemorecareful,andwalkedawayandcleanedhimselfasitburned his skin. This is the power ofAVP’sTransformingPower. We pay people for things that hurtthecommunityandsociety;wecertain-lyshouldpaythosethathelp.

Jovial Jon is an AVP facilitator at Graterford Prison in Pennsylvania.

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