PREJUDICE REDUCTION AND COMMUNITY BUILDING SERVICES at the Pacific Violence Prevention Institute
As our communities become more diverse, so do our schools, universities, businesses, and religious organizations. Unfortunately, in many cases those who are perceived to be different become the victims of prejudice, discrimination, and other forms of violence.
Often called "diversity training", the Pacific Violence Prevention Institute offers a number of Prejudice Reduction and Community Building programs. These programs focus on reducing prejudice, embracing diversity and multiculturalism, and building stronger communities that celebrate everyone’s identities, while giving participants tangible skills to make real change. Any program developed by the NVPS will increase participant awareness, identify and respond to specific issues that exist in the community, and most importantly, teach participants tangible skills that will help them become effective allies.
Ally: Someone who intervenes in an act of violence, oppression, or mistreatment that is not directed at them.
Why is creating effective allies such an important part of this process? Institutional or societal change is a slow, difficult process. Individually we do not have very much power to initiate this type of change. However, if we recognize that a problem exists in our community, we do have the ability to take steps to correct the problem on an interpersonal level. As allies, participants will be able to take effective interpersonal action, which is the first step towards combating institutionalized or societal problems.
The PVPI staff has an extensive background in community building, prejudice reduction, celebration of diversity and multiculturalism, and identifying and responding to acts of violence within diverse populations. Some members of the staff are certified trainers for the National Coalition Building Institute, one of the world’s leading organizations dedicated to community building and prejudice reduction. Our staff will identify the specific needs of your institution and will develop programs that meet your needs.
These programs can also be used to prevent hazing.
Bullying and Harassment Prevention
Prejudice Reduction and Community Building
