Spring Civility Week Kicks Off with The Alternatives to Violence Project

Brookdale Community College launched its annual Civility Week with an interactive communication and conflict resolution workshop titled “The Alternatives to Violence Project.” Led by Human Services students and featuring Angela Kariotis, director of the Center for Transformative Learning (CTL), the workshop aimed to equip participants with skills to de-escalate tense situations and foster civil discourse.

Kariotis set the tone by encouraging attendees, over 60 students with a few faculty and staff members present, to embrace their interdependence and the power of empathy. “The only way to move through that moment is together,” she urged.

Three Human Services students, Hayden, Joy, and Jess, facilitated the session, guiding participants through a series of engaging activities designed to challenge perspectives on violence and nonviolence. The workshop began with an icebreaker called “I Love My People,” encouraging students to identify shared experiences and build a sense of community.

The session progressed into more thought-provoking exercises. One activity involved participants categorizing behaviors as violent or nonviolent and determining whether they were acceptable or not. Scenarios like cursing in anger, spanking a child, and stealing merchandise sparked nuanced discussions about the nature of violence and its broader implications beyond physical harm.

“Violence is easy. It takes bravery and courage to choose something different,” Kariotis reminded the group, emphasizing the strength required to practice patience, empathy, and respectful communication.

Students also explored active listening techniques and the importance of “I messages” to communicate feelings without assigning blame. Reflective group discussions highlighted how personal backgrounds shape approaches to conflict resolution. “It takes courage to open up to someone,” a student noted, underscoring the workshop’s focus on fostering understanding and preventing conflict through communication.

The workshop concluded with a powerful “Step Up” exercise, prompting participants to step into the circle if statements about their personal experiences resonated with them. The activity fostered empathy and revealed shared struggles, reinforcing the importance of creating safe spaces for open dialogue.

As the first event of Civility Week, the workshop set the tone for a series of programs centered on dignity, respect, and understanding, with a parallel theme addressing poverty and financial hardship among students. “Nonviolence is a choice,” Sara Burrill, professor of Psychology and assistant chair of Civility Week, reminded participants at the end, “and empathy is a skill we can all work to strengthen.”

The Alternatives to Violence Project Fellowship will be offered again in the future, providing students an opportunity to deepen their skills in conflict resolution while earning an honorarium.