Friends for a NonViolent World (FNVW)

Systemic and interpersonal violence de-stabilizes and harms our communities here in the Twin Cities and across the state. Like you, we feel the urgency and opportunity of this moment. We know through decades of work in the community and in prisons that nonviolence provides a successful foundation for lasting positive change. We need your support to continue our critically important work.

During Give to the Max Day 2023, we need to raise $5,000 so we can continue to engage members of our community in conflict transformation and nonviolence trainings, workshops and actions - such as our Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) program. Your donation today will help us bring new people into our life-changing programs.

 “I fought so hard to think I didn’t need anyone else but being so isolated from everyone is a different kind of mental struggle. I had pushed people away for many years because I was hurting inside and had never really known unconditional love, at least until I found AVP.” - Formerly Incarcerated AVP Facilitator, Shiny Shea.

With the goal of gun violence prevention, FNVW is now offering AVP workshops for vulnerable youth to provide them with nonviolent tools for handling conflict and violence in their lives. With your help, we can invest in the next generation and build the healthy and safe communities we all need to thrive!

Your generous donation also supports FNVW's efforts to remain connected with adults who took part in our AVP workshops while incarcerated, either as a participant or as a workshop facilitator. Staying involved with the AVP community after being released from prison or jail provides critical connection and leadership opportunities for individuals working to make new, nonviolent choices in their life after incarceration.

Your gift right now is an investment in a future that honors the dignity of every human being. Thank you for your generous support!

Friends for a Nonviolent World (FNVW)

Vision: We seek a world free from violence and the threat of violence.
Mission: We work to promote and create peace and justice in our community by using the principles and practices of nonviolence to transform conflict and to address the root causes of violence.

Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) provides transformational workshops on nonviolence and conflict resolution in prisons, jails, and communities. During the pandemic, we've published a monthly AVP Inside Out newsletter to stay connected with over 500 incarcerated members of our AVP community during these challenging times when workshops are not allowed in prisons or jails. 

Everyday Nonviolence Podcast uplifts the stories of people using the tactics and principles of nonviolence to transform the world around them. 

People Camp provides the community with an affordable, intergenerational, weeklong opportunity to relax, connect and strengthen our capacity to build a nonviolent world.

Advocacy and Outreach initiatives include hosting community dialogues and workshops on topics such as police reform and public safety. We also build power for social change through relational organizing and by working in coalition with other groups.