MG2010 RazooNIT: Friends for a Non-Violent World INC

Almost every weekend of every year, FNVW's Alternatives to Violence Project brings hope and transformation to inmate participants at our Minnesota workshops. We bring 22 hours of non-violent conflict resolution and life skills training to 5 jails and prisons, all facilitated by community volunteers (4,000 hours' worth in 2009), and all voluntarily attended by inmates. AVP-MN transforms lives, inside prisons and post-release.

Here is what Tony W. told us about how AVP transformed his life:

“I recently attended an AVP workshop at the Hennepin County adult correctional facility, and while I was attending the workshop, I had a situation that could’ve resulted in physical violence. I would like to note that this was on the third day of the workshop that this situation occurred.

I was at work and I and another fellow worker got into a confrontation in which he called me some names such as bitch, snitch, etc. I was furious and the first thing that came to mind was to fight him, because for me it’s a defense mechanism.

Instead I stopped, took some time out to think, weighed out my options, and used the tools I was learning in the Alternatives to Violence workshop . I didn’t react and turn to violence. I made a decision to walk away and not to care what anyone thought about me, or if I lost their respect. I thought about what was important to me in my life and future instead of trying to gain approval from everyone around me.

By walking away and handling things non-violently, I earned more respect than if I would’ve used violence. It was a kind of respect that accounts for something other than being cool. A person with respect isn’t afraid to walk away and isn’t afraid to change. It’s all worth it. I really learned a lot from the workshop and everybody involved in the AVP program.

A person doesn’t have to turn to violence. There are better options for dealing with our problems, and they carry us a lot farther in life and earn us REAL respect. And one needs to remember it’s not easy, but it’s also not impossible. I also would like to thank all the facilitators for sharing their knowledge, wisdom, and understanding and showing their concern for a safer non-violent world.”

– Tony W. (written from Hennepin County Workhouse, 2008)