Six inmate AVP facilitators shared their personal journeys:
“Though we may be in the gutters some of us still look at the stars”
“In the past the people were afraid to approach me because of my reputation of violence, since I became an AVP facilitator people find it easier to approach me when looking for help with their own problems”
“I came to prison ….. with a life sentence for murder……..a year later I did my first AVP workshop…..it taught me to turn my back on violence…..it gave me the tools to change my life….it taught me a lot about empathy…which makes it less likely to be violent towards somebody. This is probably the most important thing AVP has taught me and if I can teach that to someone else I have done my job”
“it taught me to be creative….I write a lot of poetry now…..I couldn’t live without AVP….thank AVP for making me the man I am today.” Finally one inmate concluded with the words of John O’Donoghue:
“May you realize that you are never alone, that your soul in its brightness and belonging connects you intimately with the rhythm of the universe.”
What a great report and observations – thank you for posting and all of the good work! many blessings far and wide ~ light shining bright in all corners of the darkest corners – love