Pre-Gathering Events

Past-Present-Future

Prison Visit

Friday, May 23rd: All Day

Green Haven Correctional Facility, the birthplace of the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) in 1975, will be hosting a one day event on Friday, May 23, 2025. Transportation will be provided from Manhattanville College to the prison (approximately an hour trip). Attendance is limited and as with all prisons, we can't guarantee that everyone will be approved.

We are planning a day of tributes to the founders, speakers including Green Haven's illustrious former inside coordinators, Rehabilitation Through the Arts, a highly regarded theater program, will perform a skit, and there are plans for an AVP rap as well as a special lunch.

The GREEN HAVEN event is now closed for registration. Check your email for confirmation of your attendance.

Please contact carolynpolikarpus@gmail.com with questions.

Note: If you select Green Haven on your registration:
BE SURE THE NAME YOU PROVIDED AT THE START OF REGISTRATION EXACTLY MATCHES YOUR ID!

Transformative Programs: Preventative and Re-entry

Friday, May 23rd: 9:30am-4:30pm

On Friday, May 23rd as a part of our Pre-Conference events, participants will hear from programs whose mission is to prevent incarceration. We expect school programs including Center for Community Alternatives to present in the morning session. The event will be all day and in the afternoon, we will hear from Fortune Society and others. Check back soon for more information!

Here are a few questions to prime your curiosity and creativity as we listen to our speakers:

How did COVID affect re-entry and what challenges/successes have been faced?
What joys and what concerns rise to the top when working in re-entry?
How has preventative work in New York evolved?
What will preventative and re-entry work look like in an ideal world?

Preventative

Friday, May 23rd: 9:30am-12:00pm

Bronx Osborne Gun Accountability and Prevention (BOGAP)

Osborne has partnered with the District Attorney’s Office to create the Bronx Osborne Gun Accountability and Prevention (BOGAP) program, offering young people charged with carrying guns – often to protect themselves or at the request of others – an alternative to prison. The program builds on our experience pairing trauma services, cognitive behavioral therapy, and credible messenger transformative mentoring to address the realities faced by young adults at the center of gun violence in the Bronx and support them in finding options for problem-solving in difficult situations.

Open to young adults ages 16-24 (with flexibility up to age 30), BOGAP is a yearlong, intensive program designed to create lasting transformations of attitudes and beliefs, and opportunities for living productively and in safety. BOGAP offers new modes of thinking, opportunities for accountability, and access to training toward career paths and living-wage employment and supportive services that are the building blocks for a future free of violence.

https://www.osborneny.org/our-services/bronx-osborne-gun-accountability-and-prevention-bogap-program

Young Adult Alumni Program

Under the guidance of a former Green Haven Think Tank member T. Haywood (Top Notch T) the Young Adults Alumni Program was created in 2018. This program's vision and goal was to train Gang Affiliated Youth to become AVP facilitators. This program led many of them to become Peer Facilitators, leaders and Credible Messengers working for the Probation department and Credible Messengers now facilitating cohorts In in the BOGAP (Bronx Osborne Gun Accountability and Prevention at the Osborne Association). This session will be presented by T. Haywood, Jamaal Clarke, Caprice Malloy, Tyree Hicks. Some gang affiliation members are now Peer Facilitators for both the Young Adults Alumni Program and BOGAP.

CVTC: Seed of Hope

CVTC Program Description: CVTC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people heal from violent crime and creating safer, healthier communities. Through Seeds of Hope, CVTC's Prevention program provides comprehensive prevention programming to transform a school environment by addressing the root causes of violence. Through education, training, and carefully crafted interventions, Seed of Hope builds leadership and support toward a school environment where all students can thrive. Presentation will be conducted by Eric McGriff, program coordinator.

Leading with Our Resilience Everyday (LORE)

Leading with Our Resilience Everyday (LORE) is a series of 8 two-hour workshops being offered at two youth detention centers Industry (Rochester), Harriet Tubman (Auburn), and as a diversion program with Erie County Probation. The workshops are held using Restorative Practice circles. The topics include exploring the Core Self; Understanding Risky Behaviors; Navigating Anger & Shame; Healthy Relationships; Grief, Loss, & Childhood Trauma; Forgiveness; Accountability; and Planning for Going Home. During this workshop, participants will experience Workshop #1 Understanding the Core Self. Andy Prinzing is an AVP facilitator from Buffalo, NY. He has facilitated AVP at Groveland Prison for the past two years.

Re-entry

Friday, May 23rd: 1:30-4:30pm

Fortune Society

"Individuals with criminal justice involvement form one of the most disadvantaged populations in the nation. They experience a myriad of challenges and harmful stigmas that prevent them from successfully reentering society. These challenges include accessing education, employment, affordable housing, substance abuse treatment, healthcare, and family services. "

https://fortunesociety.org/coming-home/

Hudson Link

Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to transforming lives through education. By providing college education, life skills, and reentry support, they aim to break the cycles of incarceration and poverty. Operating degree-granting programs in five New York State correctional facilities, Hudson Link also offers transitional housing and reentry support for alumni upon release. Their grassroots advocacy promotes systemic change for system-impacted people. The impact is clear: Hudson Link graduates have a remarkable twenty-six-year recidivism rate of under 2%, compared to a statewide three-year rate of 43% and approximately 68% nationwide.

https://hudsonlink.org/

“Champion” Charles Corbin is a longtime volunteer Facilitator for AVP, New York and AVP New Jersey during and after being impacted by the Federal Legal System. Having experience establishing the workshops and AVP community in 2 Federal Prisons He has known the impact that AVP has had on individuals re-entering society. As a mental health crisis survivor and former gang member, Exodus has been a blessing and privileged him with opportunity to support and learn the depths of the housing crisis in NYC and The Hudson Valley. “Exodus also graced me with the chance to learn the clinical needs of NY’s experiencing traumatic setbacks but seeking support through Trauma informed treatment. I am currently a Substance Use and Mental Health Recovery Youth Service Coordinator for ETC’s -Youth and Family Tree Project.

Tara Perry of AVP Colorado was arrested at age 16 and served 17 years. Her encounter with AVP while inside made a huge impact on her life. Tara will share stories of how AVP affected her and impacted her re-entry journey which is still continuing after nine years out. She shares her story at public speaking events to break down stereotypes and discuss the impact of incarceration on our communities as a whole.

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