Episode 37: Alternative to Violence with Guests Deborah Bromiley & John Shuford

Episode 37: Alternative to Violence with Guests Deborah Bromiley & John Shuford

We are excited and humbled to have John and Deborah join us this week to discuss AVP - the Alternative to Violence Project. They start by explaining what AVP is, its history, how it’s used now - as a preventative tool - and why it’s effective. Often, we forget that in all types of conflict there is a possibility for a non-violent solution. AVP gives you the tools to do that, and allows you to practice them during their training. Deborah then dives into the AVP view that there is something good in every person, and how AVP works to separate the action from the person. She also explains a key concept of AVP called Transforming Power, which allows each person to tap into who they are meant to be. John jumps in to explain innate health and how they bring play into the AVP training, to create community and a safe space. He also touches on the impact AVP has had in schools, sharing statistics and a testimonial from a participant. A major step in AVP is realizing that it's an inside job. If you change how you see yourself, you can change how you see everybody else and the world. We end with BJ explaining why AVP is important to her and You & Five-O, and why we are advocating it as a part of our presentations. AVP gives everyone an opportunity to do good - we hope you’ll learn more about this incredible program and help spread their information!

 

Learn More About AVP: AVP North Carolina (avpnc.org)

AVP Training: Basic AVP Online – December 3-5, 2021 (avpnc.org)

AVP Criminogenic Factors: Article by John Shuford

 

More about Deborah Bromiley & John Shuford:

Deborah Bromiley is an experienced (volunteer) AVP Facilitator for over 14 years, having been the past coordinator of the AVP Program at the Baylor Correctional Women’s Institution in Wilmington DE. While in this role, Deborah coordinated the program with the prison officials, and acted as co-lead facilitator in monthly AVP workshops for eight years. Deborah was also active on both AVP USA as the Board Secretary and with AVP International as chair of the Communications/Information Committee.

 

John Shuford has volunteered for over 30 years with the Alternatives to Violence Project [AVP] as a facilitator of nonviolence prison inmate workshops. He has also held positions of Vice President of AVP International, President, Vice President and Treasurer of AVP USA, and Coordinator of AVP Delaware.

 

John has led Conflict Resolution Professional Delegations to South Africa, Russia and China and has facilitated AVP workshops in South Africa, Russia, Israel, Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia, Zimbabwe and Kenya. John has had numerous articles published in national journals about his work with corrections staff in a spin-off model based on AVP.

 

Together, Deborah and John established AVP in North Carolina, first getting into the Butner Federal Corrections Facility where they led numerous workshops and grew a team of inside facilitators. They also brought AVP to the community and grew the program with more outside volunteer facilitators. AVP has also now been active in two state prisons.

Letter of Support: From Santa Barbara Unified