Empathy and Compassion Cannot be Taught.
To be Understood, They Must be Experienced.

UCAN offers workshops on bullying prevention and conflict resolution for students, teachers, staff, administrators, and community members in middle schools, high schools, colleges & universities, and community organizations.

Based in Montclair, NJ, UCAN works with organizations of all sizes throughout northern New Jersey, New York City, Downstate New York, and Connecticut.

Contact Us to Start a Dialogue Today

What We Do

UCAN offers 2½-hour Basic Workshops as well as more intensive two- or three-day workshops on three levels:

  • The Basic Workshop
  • The Advanced Workshop
  • Advanced Leadership Workshop

Workshop agendas can be adjusted to various lengths, although a minimum of two hours is recommended.

The Basic Workshop

The Basic Workshop includes fun and experiential exercises organized by facilitators. Participants and facilitators act as equals in the group, practicing communication, cooperation and conflict resolution exercises, community building gatherings, and role-playing.

The end result is a cohesive and caring community whose members are ready to participate in the Advanced Workshop.

The Advanced Workshop

The Advanced Workshop starts where the Basic Workshop leaves off. Each participant’s level of empowerment is increased, and participants are better-suited to risk trusting the group with more of their inner experiences. Exercise topics go deeper and even more trust develops.

Successful participants may then be ready to take on a Leadership Role through the Advanced Leadership Workshop.

Advanced Leadership Workshop

The Advanced Leadership Workshop puts the participants into the leadership role, facilitating a Basic Workshop. UCAN Facilitators train participants in team-building exercises, and break out into facilitator teams. Participants are challenged to offer praise and critiques of effective facilitation by peers.

Leadership participants are then ready to begin a Facilitator Apprenticeship and take a leadership role within an institution.

How We Can Help

Violence and bullying in our schools and society is rampant. Anti-bullying curriculum is now a requirement in public schools throughout the U.S. UCAN addresses that requirement while offering compelling and effective strategies for life.

UCAN implements a wide range of exercises that:

  • Build understanding and acceptance of others
  • Promote alternatives to violence
  • Increase awareness of personal value and inner resources
  • Strengthen interpersonal skills
  • Foster community spirit

Imagine how acquiring these skills can affect positive change in your schools and communities!

UCAN Workshops are experiential and fun. All participants are equal members in the UCAN circle. The exercises develop listening and communication skills, empathy, cooperation, self-esteem, and a framework for reconciliation and conflict resolution.

UCAN and AVP

Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) is a nonprofit organization that creates peaceful solutions to potentially violent conflict. Beginning in an upstate NY prison in 1975, AVP has now spread to over 50 countries around the world. As well as prisons, AVP exists in schools, communities and corporate settings.

This video focuses on AVP within the United States prison system. Experience an AVP workshop behind bars and listen to those whose lives have been transformed by AVP.

UCAN uses curriculum based on the powerful and effective Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP). AVP began when a group of inmates at Green Haven Prison (NY) wanted better approaches to communicate with youth coming into conflict with the law. They collaborated with Quaker volunteers to design a prison workshop. The successs of this workshop quickly generated requests for more. Today, AVP is in prisons across the u.s. as well as in communities, schools, and areas of conflict and reconciliation in over 50 countries.

UCAN and The Alternatives to Violence Project principles and practices include restoration and healing; rebuilding self-worth; creating a supportives community; taking responsibility; and conflict transformation and resolution.

UCAN and You

The UCAN format allows participants a safe space to contribute. All participants are equal in the circle. Students labeled as having disabilities are equals with their non-labeled peers, and often shine as they contribute with great clarity from their individual points of experience. UCAN workshops foster a positive community environment through fun experiential activities and equally valued contributions from participants and facilitators. The implications, consequences, and reasons for bullying are examined by all participants. In turn, everyone in the workshop contributes to solutions. Through compassion and understanding agreement is reached.

What People Say

Participants of past UCAN workshops had this to say…

The workshop was a lot of fun and I know I’ll use some of the exercises when I’m teaching. I learned that I’m not as different as I thought from my classmates. It was a great experience that should be done in more schools
I loved how open and honest we were. I learned that we are all more alike than I ever thought. I loved it all! Great job!
I learned how bullying can affect an individual on a personal, emotional, and mental level. I loved how [the workshop] allowed everyone to express themselves. Enthusiastic instructors. Great ideas!
I loved how everyone opened up to each other, saw our similarities, and became closer. I learned to be accepting of everyone, we are all alike. I suggest you branch out into other schools and offer more workshops.
I learned that we all see each other differently and that we should all take time to say what we appreciate in each other. I suggest that you do this workshop with more classes more often.
The facilitators adapted the workshop to meet the needs of my college students studying to be teachers. The activities were fun and engaging and created a strong sense of collaboration and trust among the group. My students were also supported to consider how they would apply the elements of communication, cooperation and conflict resolution to addressing issues of bullying in their classrooms.

Contact Us

UCAN is run by Sarah P. Bentley, M.A., AVP Trained Facilitator.
To speak with Sarah directly, please contact UCAN at 973-650-5442.

To learn more about UCAN, or to schedule a workshop, get in touch via the form below.

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