The Center for Nonviolence exists to call
attention to the violence in our community and to help all persons and
institutions make the changes that will end personal and global violence. The Center operates exclusively for charitable and
educational purposes by making available a number of services designed to end
family violence and other forms of violent acts and ways of thinking.
Our program priorities assure the safety of women, children and men, by
providing opportunities to build nonviolent life skills, create nurturing homes
free of violence, and develop a nonviolent community.
Services are provided regardless of economic condition, gender, color,
sex, national origin, disability, race, age, sexual orientation, veteran status
and spiritual beliefs. [top]
Originally begun as ‘Men for Nonviolence’, the organization was founded
in 1981. At that time the sole intended program/purpose was to provide
groups for batterers, using the Duluth curriculum of exploring beliefs of power
and control in order to end violent behavior.
This was inspired by the dedicated work of women at the local shelter for
abused women, and an understanding among the founders of the need to address the
behavior of batterers with accountability and compassion.
In turn, it soon became clear that it would be essential to offer ongoing
victim outreach and empowerment for partners of the batterers, and support and
education groups for women were initiated.
The organization made a formal transition and changed its corporate name
to “Center for Nonviolence” in 1984. The
philosophy of the Center has been consistently feminist and anti-racist; the
effort and commitment to allow the work to be led by women remains.
In fact, as much as possible, the Center attempts to be led by the voice
and input of formerly battered women.
The Center for Nonviolence is a collective – in as true and an
evolving sense as possible. 12
full-time staff members manage the work of the Center in program and
administrative teams. All are paid
at an equal rate and have shared responsibilities for directing their own daily
work as well as the overall administration of the Center.
All have an equal vote and voice in executive decisions, which are made
by formal consensus. Leadership
teams meet weekly, rotating responsibilities for meeting facilitation and minute
taking. (The Center for Nonviolence
is one of a very small number of organizations nationally that have survived the
test of time and maintained viability without losing the consensus model.)
An additional 12 part-time staff co-facilitate various groups –
Women’s groups and Men’s groups both in English and Spanish, as well as
Youth groups and children’s nonviolent playgroups.
Our board of community trustees – the Coordinating Panel – work
closely with the staff to determine the philosophical direction of the
organization. All invested parties
have a recognized voice in the direction of the work at the Center,
appropriately reflecting our mission.
The
Center for Nonviolence is deeply committed to connecting our work to larger
issues and the dignity of nonviolence, and continues also to be led by the
teachings and philosophies of Gandhi and King. [top]
The Center for Nonviolence believes in every person’s right to be
treated with respect along with:
• the right to not take
responsibility for another’s
problems or bad behavior.
• the right to get angry.
• the right to say no.
• the right to make
mistakes.
• the right to have your
own feelings, opinions, and
convictions.
• the right to change your
mind or to decide on a
different course of action.
• the right to negotiate
for change.
• the right to ask for
emotional support or help.
• the right to protest
unfair treatment or criticism. [top]
center for nonviolence
