WHAT
WE DO
PROGRAMS & PROJECTS.
Alternatives to Violence Program
The Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) provides experiential workshops, facilitated by volunteers, on nonviolent personal relationships by transforming conflict into nonviolent relationships. As the USAAVP website says, “Conflict is part of daily life… but violence doesn’t have to be.” Our workshops use the shared experience of participants, interactive exercises, games and role-plays to examine the ways in which we respond to situations where injustice, prejudice, frustration and anger can lead to aggressive behavior and violence.
An AVP workshop can help you:
● Deal more effectively with risk and anger
● Build good relationships with other people
● Communicate well in difficult situations
● Recognize the skills you already have and learn new ones
● Be true to yourself while respecting other people
● Understand why conflict happens
AVP workshops are built on the following building blocks that give some indication of their approach:
● Affirmation
● Assertive Speaking
● Communication
● Community
● Conflict Resolution
● Conflict Transformation
● Cooperation
● Empathy
● Listening
● Reflection
● Transforming Power
● Trust
Mentorship
First Class is committed to providing mentors to help guide our participants through their young adult lives. We are passionate about helping others build self-esteem, social skills, and understanding of the importance of having a strong set of values and morals. Many young people have no one to look up to or help shape them as respectable and responsible individuals.
This may happen because of a parent(s) incarceration, work schedule, neglect due to addiction or lack of interest. This leaves them vulnerable to Satan's playground of drugs, gangs, jails, etc. Simply put, those who have no one --need someone. The love that God has shown us in Jesus has prompted us to extend love to the youth. (Engaging, and moreover remaining, in these young peoples’ lives, is our goal) Our goal is not to force people to change because change comes from within, but through love and by example show them that they can change. Sometimes just expressing a different side of life can prompt change.
