The Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence Graduates New Trainers at New Facility
Thursday, January 06, 2011
The Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence will hold its first official Nonviolence Training of Trainers Graduation Ceremony in its new facility (265 Oxford Street in Providence) on January 7, 2011 at 6pm. The weekend before the October 17 Grand Opening of the Institute’s new headquarters, the group held its first day of the Nonviolence Training of Trainers consisting of 18 members of the community. The group, consisting of a former U.S. Attorney, a male out of jail for a mere four months and a woman who was granted permission from the Women’s Prison to attend the training.
The Graduation will feature a few speeches from graduates, Mayor Angel Taveras, as well as Institute founders Father Ray Malm and Teny Gross.
Training that makes a difference
Once participants complete the 30 hour training, they are certified by the Institute and qualified to represent the organization and its core beliefs in similar trainings. Participants must submit an application for review by the Program Directors at the Institute which includes an essay and resume. One 19 year-old applicant wrote, “The nonviolence movement is important to me because I was able to change my life around and the nonviolence training is helping me to reach out to other teens that have been in the same situation.”
The six principles of non-violence
Founded on the six principles of Nonviolence taught by Martin Luther King, Jr, the Institute seeks to build the Beloved Community in which all lives are valued the same – where a prosecutor and an ex-offender can learn to relate to each other. The Institute model rests upon the power of relationships as youth and families build positive bonds with staff, volunteers and each other. “The Institute wants to send a message to the youth and families in the community that we are willing to invest in them regardless of their past” says PJ Fox, Director of the Nonviolence Training Department.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"Our hard-earned optimism is born out of stubborn work and facts," said Gross. "Together we will save lives."
New space for ambitious goals
Located in the former convent of St. Michael’s Church on Oxford Street, Providence, the Institute’s new home is the result of nine years of planning and fundraising efforts by the non-profit to transform the vacant building into spaces that allow for expanded youth programs and community outreach services. The main floor of the building will be devoted to youth activities and performances, studio spaces and a computer training room — services the organization was unable to offer at its previous rented location in the Pearl Street Lofts.
Established in the summer of 2000 following the deaths of five young parishioners, the Institute is known for its pioneering efforts throughout the city in mediating gang confrontations through its Streetworkers program, teaching nonviolence in the police academy, as well as in the Maximum Security facility at the ACI. The Institute has worked nationally and internationally on spreading the word of Nonviolence, with its special blend of theoretical knowledge and practical, grassroots activism to reduce violence.
