SBAVP Workshops
Weekend workshops, which are open to anyone interested in reducing the level of unresolved conflict in their lives and the lives of those around them. They are led by trained volunteers. Each workshop lasts 18-21 hours, generally held over two consecutive weekend days. Mini workshops are sometimes provided for demonstration reasons.
Participants look at their lives and their relationships with others through a series of tested, structured exercises. Workshops are fast paced, weaving together interactive exercises, facilitated discussions, role plays, humor, and games. Exercises are interactive and thoughtful, and youth must participate fully in both days of workshops to receive community service hours. Workshops are voluntary, and SBAVP has an open-door policy.
We believe in empowering youth to become positive leaders in the community, and becoming a facilitator is one way of doing this. Anyone wishing to become a facilitator must first complete all three workshops. The BASIC, ADVANCE and TRAINING for FACILITATORS (T4F). Youth facilitators who demonstrate a commitment to the program are eligible for stipends and may be invited to facilitate workshops in other communities, throughout the state of California.
Level One: Basic Workshop
Every Basic Workshop involves:
- Establishing a base of self-esteem, affirmation, trust, and cooperation.
- Exploring methods of communication.
- Learning about creative ways of resolving conflicts.
Each workshop is unique because the individuals who attend have different personalities and experiences. AVP workshops seek to assist individuals in personal growth and change. AVP is not psychotherapy.
Level Two: Advanced Workshop
After you completed a Level One workshop, graduates are often interested in taking part in this more advanced level.
Advanced Workshops focus on:
- The underlying causes of conflict such as fear, anger, stereotyping, power, and powerlessness, and “old history” and behavior.
- Taking a deeper look at ways of resolving conflicts, including communication and forgiveness.
- Experiencing consensus as a decision-making process.
Usually, the participants choose the focus of the work.
Level Three: How to become a facilitator
- Begin by participating in the Basic and Advanced AVP Workshops
- If graduates find they would like to become a volunteer facilitator of the AVP process, they take the Training-for-Facilitators/Trainers (T4F) Workshop. This workshop is designed for those who expect to be active in community and/or prison workshops.
- A T4T teaches the skills needed to help run workshops:
◦ Group process skills
◦ Working as a cooperative team
◦ Hands-on experience
◦ Specific AVP methods: Agenda Building, Exercises, Transforming Power, Light and Livelies, Role Plays.
- As a last step in the training, you will apprentice with three or more facilitation teams in workshops and work with a local group to develop your skills and confidence until you are a full-fledged facilitator.
What do the the teens get?
- 20 community service hours (after completion of both the Basic and Advanced workshops)
- A Certificate of Completion (for each workshop)
- Two days of laughter, games, and no drawn-out lectures
- Getting to know peers and adults who take the workshop.
- Learning more about yourself, how to handle problems, enjoy people and have fun.
- Opportunity to become workshop facilitators.