News and Notes - April 2026

NEWS AND NOTES!

APRIL 2026

A monthly communication of the Alternatives to Violence Project California

COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS

HAPPENING ALL OVER CALIFORNIA!

Great workshop in

Grass Valley!

An introductory workshop in Watsonville. Ages ranged from 21 to 84.

Advanced Workshop in Sacramento

AVP/USA NATIONAL VIRTUAL GATHERING

THEME: Gratitude is the Attitude

MAY 29TH - 31ST

AVP/CA FALL GATHERING FOR ALL AVP/CA FACILITATORS

OCTOBER 9TH - 11TH

Interested in being on the committee?

Contact pinkieweesner@gmail.com

MORE INFORMATION ON BOTH OF THESE WILL BE SENT OUT SOON

to our Monthly Donor Team

Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

Care to join the team? LINK HERE

Bernard Lafayette (1940-2026)

Bernard was interviewed by Ben Glass and the video was presented at the 2025 AVP National Gathering

Video Here

He helped found AVP. When the inmates in the Think Tank at Greenhaven

wanted to start a program and reached out to the visiting Quakers, the

Quakers reached out to Bernard for his help.

Bernard was one of the founders of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating

Committee (SNCC). He led the second wave of the Freedom Riders to

confront interstate bus segregation (after the first busses were burned

and the riders beaten). He was the first organizer MLK sent to Selma.

And just before MLK's death he was sent to organize the Chicago Poor

People's Project. He was present and mediating at the Pine Ridge

standoff. He went to Liberia to help child soldiers after their civil

war. He taught Kingian Nonviolence trainings for years. An incredible man.

More news about Mr. Lafayette:

CNN Article

NY Times Article

YouTube Video Discussion about AVP

NEW "RETURNED CITIZEN" COUNCIL

We held our first statewide council meeting in March! It was great to get support and meet folks from all over the State. The Council already had a few ideas to do outreach in the State.

See below for Zoom info.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS IN THE COMMUNITY

see community calender on website: HERE

INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP IN STOCKTON

April 18th and 19TH 9:00am - 5pm (both days)

2044 Fair Street, Stockton, CA

Registration Required HERE

INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP IN RENO, NV

April 17-19TH

Friday 8:30am - 3:30pm

Saturday 8:30am - 3:30pm

Sunday 8:30am - 12:30pm

1301 Cordone Avenue, LL-40, Reno, NV

Registration Required HERE

INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP IN BERKELEY

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

1600 Sacramento Street, Berkeley, CA

Registration Required HERE

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

"FROM THE INSIDE"

(new monthly section)

Writings from folks inside or who were inside

please send contributions to admin@avpcalifornia.org

Artwork by "Respectful" Roberto Aguilar

Original Framed Artwork will be available in the 2026 Auction

Featured Speaker @ National Gathering

"One of our own"

Danny Contreras, also known as “Dynamic” Danny, is a dedicated AVP facilitator whose journey reflects the transformative power of the program.

Danny was introduced to AVP in 2006 while incarcerated at Soledad State Prison.

Danny has partnered with his local council (Santa Cruz/Salinas Valley) to expand AVP workshops and strengthen community impact.

Danny continues to support AVP’s mission by organizing workshops, mentoring others, and contributing to the growth of nonviolent communities. His journey reflects the ongoing impact of AVP in both institutional and community settings.

HIGHLIGHTED "SISTER" ORGANIZATION

Program started by one of our own, Danny Contreras. Danny has been a big part of creating workshops with the help of Santa Cruz/Salinas Valley Council.

We are committed to providing hope, stability, and opportunity to individuals and families facing significant life challenges. Through education, mentorship, and practical support, we help people build healthy, positive, and productive lives.

https://keys2life.net/

JOIN OUR MONTHLY SUPPORT TEAM

We continue to build up our monthly support. It's easy and just $5 a month really supports the ongoing work that we do in AVP California. If you are able to chip in $15 a month we'd love to send you a beautiful AVP CA t-shirt.

*Note: AVP/CA can not guarantee you will be as handsome as the AI person in this photo.

JOIN HERE

SHARE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS... LET THEM JOIN AND SUPPORT YOUR WORK

FACILITATOR INFORMATION

AVP/CA is looking for a few good folks.

There are several "positions" needed... could you fill one of these spots?

Finance Committee

Fundraising Committee

Gathering Committee

Steering Committee

Contact nomination@avpcalifornia.org

Do you know someone?

AVP/CA Committee Details

SUPPORT IS HERE!

RETURNED CITIZEN ZOOM CALL

Support for folks coming home!

Third Tuesday of the month - April 21st, 7pm

ZOOM LINK HERE

LOCAL COUNCIL ZOOM CALL

Support for building up councils and community workshops.

Third Thursday of the month - April 16th, 7pm

ZOOM LINK HERE

PRISON COORDINATOR ZOOM CALL

Support for PCs throughout California

First Tuesday of the month - April 7th, 7pm

ZOOM LINK HERE

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

AVP International Research Team Monthly Discussion

Monday 6 April / 12 noon

Do you have questions or curiosity about a topic related to AVP and don’t know where to start? The AVP International Research team invites you to our next meeting where we are exploring potential research projects we can work on collaboratively. Our aim is to identify one or two research projects and then we will create working groups to carry out the research. You don’t need previous research experience to be part of this process.

Examples of potential research topics (suggested at last month’s discussion) include:

Impact of AVP on compassion and empathy
Collating the evaluation forms
How AVP works and for whom
Measuring impact AVP on the number of disruptions in a prison
Impact of AVP on prison staff
How and why AVP is effective
Auto ethnography
What AVP look like around the world

Direct Zoom Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5736165673?pwd=NGZRMEtWZ2FiekEzVjgzcGpVYzR4dz09

Meeting ID: 573 616 5673; Password: 9797

Updated Website - NEW Log in required for Facilitators Page

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. This is a new registration!

The Steps:

Click the "log in" button on top right on front of site
For your first time click "register" button
Create a username (remember it!) and enter email address
Take a deep breath and wait for site admin to "approve" you.
You will receive an email from AVP CA (check spam folder).
Follow the link to add a "NEW" password.
You should be able to log in now. Save the password.
If you forget password .. just go to this log in page and ask for a password reset.
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.

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

Email admin@avpcalifornia.org.