The Alternatives to Violence Project (ACP) is a grassroots, volunteer program dedicated to reducing violence in our lives, in our homes, in our schools, in our prisons, in our streets and in our society. Violence comes in many forms--from put-downs and dismissal of ourselves and others to the taking of human life. Most people are exposed to some form of violence daily. Often we knowingly or unknowingly inflict violence on others. Interpersonal violence represents failed human interaction. This year Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Trauma Service sponsored training that cumulated in the certification of 15 workshop facilitators on March 19 – 21. An additional 10 participants completed Beginning and Intermediate Courses in Jan and Feb.
Workshop attendees included representatives from Elk Grove School District, Another Choice Another Chance, Mach Road Partnership, South Sacramento Christian Center, South Side Target of Excellence, Health Education Council, Ca State Chico, Voices of Youth, and Always Knocking along with community members.
AVP is one strategy that KP SSC Trauma Services is using to reduce violence in the community. Along with the Sacramento Violence Intervention Program, AVP will be incorporated into many community programs promoting peaceful resolution of conflict. AVP facilitators will also be taking the program into the county juvenile facility.
I was first introduced to AVP at the LA Gang conference last year. I knew that the program would fit perfectly in to the violence prevention work we have been growing in South Sacramento. Many of our partners were looking for programs that were research validated the AVP has been around since 1975. The Sacramento Juvenile System is going to participate along with the Sacramento Minority Youth Violence Intervention Program headed by Health Education Council.
The Sacramento AVP Group has been formed and we now have a Facebook Site and Google Group. We hope to grow the program and introduce it to organizations serving youth to include San Juan and Elk Grove School Districts. Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Trauma Services will continue to support AVP and provide a venue for the courses to continue.
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