Alisha Kohn
Pronouns: she/her/hers
David Fletcher
Pronouns: he/him/his, they/them/theirs
Karin Elias
Pronouns: she/her/hers
HVTF Breakout Session 1 Workshop Presenter on Saturday, November 23rd
Alternative to Violence Project: Transforming Power Workshop
Workshop Description: The Alternative to Violence project (AVP) offers volunteer led experiential workshops to assist participants in personal growth and change. It centers on the concept of Transforming Power, developing cooperation and teamwork and non violent conflict resolution. Participants notice improved listening and communication skills. Positive affirmation and improved self esteem lead to a more successful and satisfying life.
AVP is always looking for new facilitators! After exploring this mini workshop those interested can sign up for a 3 day basic workshop, followed by an advanced workshop and facilitator training.
Workshop Format: This workshop will be interactive, and feature partner-work and large-group discussion in a fun, safe environment.
About AVP: The AVP program began in 1975 when a group of people inside the walls at Green Haven Prison (NY), calling themselves the Think Tank, felt the need for nonviolence training in preparation for their roles as counselors in an experimental program with young people. They collaborated with the Quaker Project on Community Conflict, and devised a prison workshop. The success of this workshop quickly generated re-quests for more, and AVP was born. The program quickly spread to many other prisons.
As the program spread, it became obvious that violence and the need for this training exists just as much outside prison walls as within, and that everyone in all walks of life and circumstance is exposed to and participates in violence in some way. Violence comes in many forms: physical abuse, sexual abuse, verbal abuse including put-downs, some jokes and some sarcasm, emotional abuse, neglect and oppression among others.
The Alternative to Violence project offers volunteer led experiential workshops to assist participants in personal growth and change. It centers on the concept of Transforming Power, developing cooperation and teamwork and non violent conflict resolution.
Bios:
I am Alisha Kohn better known as Adventurous Alisha in the circles I hold for AVP. I attended my first workshop in AVP in 2010 in Woodbourne Correctional Facility, while I was incarcerated. Since my first workshop I could not get enough! I went on too took my advance, training for trainers and soon I was the coordinator for Woodbourne Correctional Facility A.V.P. Then my release in 2017 I attended my first Facilitator weekend at the powel House where I made great connections that has lead me to do Mini AVP workshops to service providers in the Hudson Valley. This year I have taken the position of treasurer for AVP New York. Outside of the circles of AVP I am a full time college student pursuing my degree in community organizing, I am a co-organizer for the Newburgh LGBTQIIA+ center and I also am a young adult presenter for the National Alliance of Mental Health (NAMI) where I speak to middle and high school aged students about breaking the stigma around mental health by speaking of my own mental health experience. Holding AVP circles is important to me because as a trans women the ability to resolve conflict and transfer that inner power to do good is such an important factor, being a part of LGBTQ+ community dealing of conflict resolution in everyday life.
Dr. David Fletcher is a faculty member in the Lehman College’s School of Education, Department of Middle and High School Education. His focus is on facilitating alternative to violence projects (AVP), restorative practices and restorative justice, human rights education, social and racial justice-based service-learning in K-12 schools, and community health and school health. One of his major goals is to support students continuous achievement to support their improvement of the quality of life for themselves, their families and neighborhoods.
Karin Floh-Elias is a native of Austria who has made NY her home. She has been involved in the arena of health and wellness since 1992, offering massage, aromatherapy and sound healing. Modern Dance brought her to the US in 1990 and her dedication to community service, self growth and a strong feeling that our interpersonal communication can be done in a non violent way has introduced her to AVP, the Alternatives to Violence Project. She facilitates workshops in the community and is on her way to become a volunteer at Sing Sing correctional facility. She continues to deepen her skills by immersing herself in restorative practice training and circle keeping.