NEWS AND NOTES!

MARCH 2026

A monthly communication of the Alternatives to Violence Project California

WEBSITE HAS BEEN UPDATED! CHECK IT OUT!

www.avpcalifornia.org

NEW items: Integration of new logo, modernized format, focus on community workshop , updated certificates with logo, and facilitators log-in page (see below for more information)

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS IN THE COMMUNITY

see community calender on website: HERE

INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP IN LOS ANGELES

March 7th and 8th

8am to 5pm

Go HERE to register

or contact@avpla.org for more information

INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP IN GRASS VALLEY

March 7th and 14th

8:30am to 5pm

CONTACT: dimiessler@yahoo.com for more information

INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP IN WATSONVILLE

March 10th - 12th 9am - 3pm

1430 Freedom Blvd., Suite A Atrium, Watsonville, CA

Use this link to register

INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP IN BERKELEY

April 25th and May 2nd 8:30am - 5pm

1600 Sacramento Street, Berkeley, CA

Use this link to register

send information (especially pictures) about your community workshops to admin@avpcalifornia.org

Alternatives to Violence Project Maryland

2025 Turtle Tank Commercial

2nd Place Winner!

The 2025 Turtle Tank, presented by Business Volunteers Maryland, features commercials for local organizations, including the Organization of Hope 2025 Turtle Tank Commercial. This initiative, now in its fourth year, supports community leaders and strengthens Baltimore by highlighting innovative, mission-driven non-profits.

"FROM THE INSIDE"

(new monthly section)

Writings from folks inside or who were inside

please send contributions to admin@avpcalifornia.org

What AVP Has Meant to Me

by Lowell “Tuesday” Henslin

AVP SLO County Honor Farm November 15, 2016

I walk in here,

I feel the stares,

Lonely men in a circle of chairs

Share your thoughts,

Share your dreams,

Hard ass cons not what they seem.

Stories told, tears are shed, memories stream from our head

Lite and livelies, gatherings, community - that closeness brings

We have some laughs, we play some games,

We get to pick out silly names

We throw some scrunchies at a friend

And realize we’re on the mend

We learn that, out there, people care

And the healing power of a teddy bear

We learned more here than any school

Broke down some walls and stopped acting cool

So to all of you who helped me through

I love you all and may all our dreams come true.

HIGHLIGHTED "SISTER" ORGANIZATION

The Alliance for Higher Education in Prison builds and supports the field-wide infrastructure to advance access and excellence in higher education in prison and through reentry. We do this by convening the field, amplifying system-impacted voices, and mobilizing knowledge and resources.



https://www.higheredinprison.org/

AVP/CA FACILITATOR INFORMATION

Updated Website - Facilitator Information

A new login is required for the "Facilitators Page," which provides access to documents and pictures for facilitators only. It is an easy, one-time registration process that takes only a minute. Just click the log in button on top right and then go to register for your first time, and then you will be able to log in after it is approved by the site administrator, which usually takes less than 24 hours. Once approved, you will receive a confirmation email, and then you can create a password. Check your spam folder if you do not see the email. If you have any problems, contact admin@avpcalifornia.org

Got Pictures? Got great handouts? We are looking for handouts and pictures from past gatherings, workshops, and get-togethers. Let's build this visual library and keep our history. Send to admin@avpcalifornia.org.

SUPPORT IS HERE - REACH OUT

RETURNED CITIZEN ZOOM CALL

Support for folks coming home!

Fourth Tuesday of the month - March 24th, 7pm

ZOOM LINK HERE

LOCAL COUNCIL ZOOM CALL

Support for building up councils and community workshops.

Fourth Thursday of the month - March 26th, 7pm

ZOOM LINK HERE

PRISON COORDINATOR ZOOM CALL

Support for PCs throughout California

First Tuesday of the month - March 3rd, 7pm

ZOOM LINK HERE

Email admin@avpcalifornia.org if you want to be notified of any of these calls

"NEW" Prison Coordinator “Office Hours”

Whether you are a new or seasoned Prison Coordinator, or are considering becoming a Prison Coordinator, support is available.

Contact the following people to arrange a phone call or zoom

session to discuss these important topics.

Preparing for Successful Warden Meetings: Lucky Lynda Alberico

(lyndaalberico8@gmail.com) or Adventurous Ann Boone (avboone@sonic.net)

Building Strong Relationships with Prison Staff: Perky Pinkie Weesner

(pinkieweesener@gmail.com)

Strong Team Coordinator Mentorship: Loving Linda McCue (lindamccue@aol.com)

Opening a New Prison: Tenacious Terrill Keeler (terrillkeeler@yahoo.com)

Fishbowl: AVP Building Blocks: Empowered Erika Hermosillo (ehermosillo9@gmail.com)

More Detailed Information Here

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Local Council Support Grants!

The Steering Committee is continuing their commitment to support the local council work that is happening throughout our State. Click on link below for more information.

2026 Local Council Grant Application

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2025 CLARG Report

Team Coordinators, please make sure that all your workshop reports are entered into QEWR and that you share with admin@avpcalifornia.org anything that was exciting/challenging so that they can be entered into the CLARG (Committee of Local and Regional Groups) report for 2025. Thanks a bunch!

Have something to celebrate and share with your AVP/CA family?

Email admin@avpcalifornia.org.