Workshops

SBAVP Workshops

The Santa Barbara Alternatives to Violence Project (SBAVP) workshops are open to anyone who wishes to attend; the only requirement is that the participant attends voluntarily. Scholarships and low fees are available.

Each of the three workshop levels is trauma-informed, lasts 18-21 hours, and is led by a group of professional volunteers. A three-day block or a series of two-day chunks are standard workshop formats. Mini workshops are also provided for demonstration reasons.

Each workshop is unique because the individuals who attend have different personalities and experiences. SBAVP workshops seek to assist individuals in personal growth and change.

* SBAVP is not psychotherapy

Level One: Basic Workshop

We all begin somewhere!

The Basic Workshop focuses on:

  • Establishing a base of self-esteem, affirmation, trust, and cooperation

  • Exploring methods of communication

  • Learning about creative ways of resolving conflicts

Level Two: Advanced Workshop

After completing a Level One workshop, you will be able to participate in this more advanced workshop.

The Advanced Workshop focuses 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 will choose the focus of the work

Level Three: Facilitator Training

Must have completed the Beginning and Advanced Workshops.

This is the workshop for you if you want to become a volunteer facilitator of the AVP process. This workshop is intended for those who intend to participate in community and/or prison workshops.

The Facilitator Training focuses on:

  • 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 final step in the training, you will work in workshops with three or more facilitation teams and with a local group to develop your skills and confidence until you are officially a facilitator.

What do the the teens get?

  • 20 Community Service hours

  • A Certificate of Completion of at least the Basic Workshop

  • Removal of suspension from Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD) file

  • Opportunity to become a Workshop Facilitator (plus stipend eligibility

  • Once completed with both workshops, consideration by SBUSD for suspension removal

  • Two full days of laughter, games, and no drawn-out lectures

  • Getting to know your peers and adults who are taking the workshops

  • Learning more about yourself, how to handle problems, enjoy people and have fun