Testimonials & Awards

Personal Testimonials and Awards

Personal testimonials and awards say a lot about AVP’s effectiveness. See what prison and community workshop participants say about their experience, and what prison officials are saying, as well as recognition we’ve been awarded.

What Those Incarcerated Say

Listening With New Eyes & Ears

I am now in the road to looking at people with new eyes and listening with new ears.

Participant, Prison Workshop

AVP-USA, Inc.
2016-06-08T16:42:39-07:00

Participant, Prison Workshop

I am now in the road to looking at people with new eyes and listening with new ears.

An Alternative to Violence

All my life the only alternative that I ever knew was a violent response. When confronted with a stress situation or its equal, I knew nothing but violence. But thanks to the AVP program, I have other methods in dealing with these same situations that once forced violence from me. So for me, the program is priceless.

Participant, Prison Workshop

AVP-USA, Inc.
2016-06-08T16:40:39-07:00

Participant, Prison Workshop

All my life the only alternative that I ever knew was a violent response. When confronted with a stress situation or its equal, I knew nothing but violence. But thanks to the AVP program, I have other methods in dealing with these same situations that once forced violence from me. So for me, the program is priceless.

Beyond Hate & Despair

If there is such a thing as a miraculous change, then I can truthfully say that it was through AVP. I began to grow from a person filled with hate, anger and despair into a person who believes that he, too, is responsible for the protection, preservation and enrichment of humanity.

Robert Martin, formerly incarcerated AVP Facilitator

AVP-USA, Inc.
2016-06-04T11:56:54-07:00

Robert Martin, formerly incarcerated AVP Facilitator

If there is such a thing as a miraculous change, then I can truthfully say that it was through AVP. I began to grow from a person filled with hate, anger and despair into a person who believes that he, too, is responsible for the protection, preservation and enrichment of humanity.

Tools I Learned Work

I learned to use the tools that AVP taught me in my everyday life. I am a new man and I love it. Transforming Power really works. I have begun life anew.

Participant, Prison Workshop

AVP-USA, Inc.
2016-06-04T12:27:59-07:00

Participant, Prison Workshop

I learned to use the tools that AVP taught me in my everyday life. I am a new man and I love it. Transforming Power really works. I have begun life anew.
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AVP-USA, Inc.
What Community Participants Say

Loss Of Control

AVP makes you think how many ways for violence to happen that need self control….We were able to talk about what we thought, no argument, no confusion….and the realization that loss of control can happen to anybody.

Participant, Community Workshop

AVP-USA, Inc.
2016-06-08T17:39:39-07:00

Participant, Community Workshop

AVP makes you think how many ways for violence to happen that need self control….We were able to talk about what we thought, no argument, no confusion….and the realization that loss of control can happen to anybody.

My Life Has Changed

I feel more relaxed, more positive, more patient. I feel like a new creature…in three days my life has changed a lot. Thanks.

Participant, Community Workshop

AVP-USA, Inc.
2016-06-08T17:27:15-07:00

Participant, Community Workshop

I feel more relaxed, more positive, more patient. I feel like a new creature…in three days my life has changed a lot. Thanks.

Never Too Late

I am 74 years old and had to learn I had violence, as most of us do. I have never stopped learning and know that it’s never too late to learn to love well.

Participant, Community Workshop

AVP-USA, Inc.
2016-06-08T17:37:45-07:00

Participant, Community Workshop

I am 74 years old and had to learn I had violence, as most of us do. I have never stopped learning and know that it’s never too late to learn to love well.

Communication & Trust

Through the program I learned communication with my family and friends that I never thought existed….I learned trust again.

Community Participant

AVP-USA, Inc.
2016-06-04T12:47:04-07:00

Community Participant

Through the program I learned communication with my family and friends that I never thought existed….I learned trust again.

I’m Not Violent, But ….

Friends asked me why I attended an AVP workshop, since I didn’t seem like a violent person. A lot of violence I carry is directed towards myself in the form of self- criticism. AVP is helping me see that and is helping me change.

Community Participant

AVP-USA, Inc.
2016-06-04T12:49:32-07:00

Community Participant

Friends asked me why I attended an AVP workshop, since I didn’t seem like a violent person. A lot of violence I carry is directed towards myself in the form of self- criticism. AVP is helping me see that and is helping me change.
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AVP-USA, Inc.
What Officials Say

Impact on Youth & Staff

I can’t begin to tell you the impact the workshop you facilitated has had on our youth and the staff as well.

    R. W. Washington, Dir., Charles Loring Grace Youth Camp

AVP-USA, Inc.
2016-06-08T20:08:53-07:00

    R. W. Washington, Dir., Charles Loring Grace Youth Camp

I can’t begin to tell you the impact the workshop you facilitated has had on our youth and the staff as well.

Positive Change

The [AVP] is one of the most popular and worthwhile Volunteer Programs in the NYS Department of Correctional Services. The volunteers….arrive ready to challenge the inmates. And with the challenge, they also provide the format for positive change.

Jerry Ducie, dir. Volunteer Services, NYS Department of Correctional Services

AVP-USA, Inc.
2016-06-08T20:06:56-07:00

Jerry Ducie, dir. Volunteer Services, NYS Department of Correctional Services

The [AVP] is one of the most popular and worthwhile Volunteer Programs in the NYS Department of Correctional Services. The volunteers….arrive ready to challenge the inmates. And with the challenge, they also provide the format for positive change.

Changed Behavior

I cannot emphasize enough the value of your work here. The inmates themselves are the biggest testimony to the Alternatives to Violence Project, as reflected in their demand for the courses and the backlog of inmates waiting their turn to participate. Time and time again, we have witnessed the effectiveness of the Alternatives to Violence Project through changed behavior of inmates, who might otherwise have committed violent act which would have lengthened their period of incarceration.

Philip Coombe, Suberintendent, Eastern Correctional facility (NYS)

AVP-USA, Inc.
2016-06-08T20:10:44-07:00

Philip Coombe, Suberintendent, Eastern Correctional facility (NYS)

I cannot emphasize enough the value of your work here. The inmates themselves are the biggest testimony to the Alternatives to Violence Project, as reflected in their demand for the courses and the backlog of inmates waiting their turn to participate. Time and time again, we have witnessed the effectiveness of the Alternatives to Violence Project through changed behavior of inmates, who might otherwise have committed violent act which would have lengthened their period of incarceration.
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AVP-USA, Inc.

Awards and Recogntion

PeaceTalks on NPR

Peace Talks Radio, the anchor program of Good Radio Shows, Inc., recently devoted a one-hour program to AVP. The segment...

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Exemplar of Justice Award

John A. Shuford receives the Willam A. Vrooman “Exemplar of Justice Award” from the Delaware Center for Justice at their...

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Points of Light

Daily Point of Light Awards, created by President George H. W. Bush are given to individuals, alone and working together,...

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Gov. Mario Cuomo

Gov. Mario Cuomo presents his Eleanor Roosevelt Community Service Award to AVP. This Certificate of Merit was presented to AVP...

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