The Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) Ireland
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Our facilitators are the heart and soul of AVP Ireland. They come from all kinds of backgrounds, bringing their unique experiences and perspectives to AVP workshops. Thanks to their commitment and dedication, AVP workshops become meaningful experiences that inspire positive change and build community. Our facilitators are trained individuals, comprising both prison-based volunteers as well as outside volunteers who work together to create a unique space that gives participants the opportunity to build skills in communication, conflict resolution, and personal growth.

Message from Josephine Williams

Meet Our AVP Coordinator

Lisa Oelschlegel joined AVP as national coordinator in July 2024. She brings extensive experience in project management, volunteer management, workshop facilitation, mental health and social support, diversity and inclusion, as well as violence prevention.

Our Beliefs

The Trinity

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Our Story

Native Chapel membership is a commitment to one another—a willing pledge to guard, care, submit, support, and minister together for the building up of our church body.

Our Values

We value the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit in our midst, marking us as God’s people and manifesting Himself miraculously.

Know Jesus
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Word Centered
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Spirit Empowered
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Family Oriented
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Kingdom Focused
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Mission Motivated

Board of Trustees

Larisa Sioneriu

Chair of the Board

Larisa has over 10 years of experience in adult and community education, working with diverse communities both in Ireland and internationally. She developed a strong interest in conflict resolution and peacebuilding through her role as an AVP facilitator and her involvement in educational projects in Colombia during the peace process. Larisa is currently pursuing a PhD in Education at Maynooth University.

Dragana Soro

Board member

Dragana has over 15 years of experience in community education, youth work and community development. Her work in the charity sector in Ireland and abroad has given her valuable insight into the complexities of the justice system and the transformative power of education in fostering nonviolent solutions. Committed to building safer and more inclusive communities, she supports the Alternative to Violence Project in Ireland by applying their expertise in leadership, program development, and strategic collaboration.

Gráinne Carty

Secretary of the board

Gráinne has been involved with AVP for over a decade, initially serving as a facilitator before joining the board. She became engaged with AVP when it was first introduced in Ireland by Helen Haughton and was drawn to its transformative approach to conflict resolution. With a deep appreciation for AVP’s tools, particularly the use of "I" messages to foster constructive communication, she is passionate about helping individuals navigate conflict in a more effective and empathetic way. Gráinne is committed to building community, finding common ground, and utilizing humor as a tool for de-escalation, believing in AVP’s potential as a game-changer in conflict resolution.

Mojtaba Akbari

Board Memebr

Mojtaba (Moji) Akbari is a strategic leader with 17+ years’ experience advising C‑level executives and boards on embedding robust governance, risk, and compliance frameworks into digital transformations that drive sustainability and positive social impact. With expertise across public and private sectors and a comprehensive portfolio of executive accreditations, Moji empowers boards by balancing innovation with regulation, driving long-term sustainable value, eco-friendly practices, and meaningful societal outcomes.

Annie Clarke-Kiely

Board Member

Annie has over 25 years of experience working in prison settings, bringing a deep understanding of the environment, its culture and its challenges.

Larisa Sioneriu
Chair of the Board
Larisa has over 10 years of experience in adult and community education, working with diverse communities both in Ireland and internationally. She developed a strong interest in conflict resolution and peacebuilding through her role as an AVP facilitator and her involvement in educational projects in Colombia during the peace process. Larisa is currently pursuing a PhD in Education at Maynooth University.
Dragana Soro
Board member
Dragana has over 15 years of experience in community education, youth work and community development. Her work in the charity sector in Ireland and abroad has given her valuable insight into the complexities of the justice system and the transformative power of education in fostering nonviolent solutions. Committed to building safer and more inclusive communities, she supports the Alternative to Violence Project in Ireland by applying her expertise in leadership, program development, and strategic collaboration.
Gráinne Carty
Secretary of the board
Gráinne has been involved with AVP for over a decade, initially serving as a facilitator before joining the board. She became engaged with AVP when it was first introduced in Ireland by Helen Haughton and was drawn to its transformative approach to conflict resolution. With a deep appreciation for AVP’s tools, particularly the use of "I" messages to foster constructive communication, she is passionate about helping individuals navigate conflict in a more effective and empathetic way. Gráinne is committed to building community, finding common ground, and utilizing humor as a tool for de-escalation, believing in AVP’s potential as a game-changer in conflict resolution.
Larisa Sioneriu
Chair of the Board
Larisa has over 10 years of experience in adult and community education, working with diverse communities both in Ireland and internationally. She developed a strong interest in conflict resolution and peacebuilding through her role as an AVP facilitator and her involvement in educational projects in Colombia during the peace process. Larisa is currently pursuing a PhD in Education at Maynooth University.
Dragana Soro
Board member
Dragana has over 15 years of experience in community education, youth work and community development. Her work in the charity sector in Ireland and abroad has given her valuable insight into the complexities of the justice system and the transformative power of education in fostering nonviolent solutions. Committed to building safer and more inclusive communities, she supports the Alternative to Violence Project in Ireland by applying her expertise in leadership, program development, and strategic collaboration.
Gráinne Carty
Secretary of the board
Gráinne has been involved with AVP for over a decade, initially serving as a facilitator before joining the board. She became engaged with AVP when it was first introduced in Ireland by Helen Haughton and was drawn to its transformative approach to conflict resolution. With a deep appreciation for AVP’s tools, particularly the use of "I" messages to foster constructive communication, she is passionate about helping individuals navigate conflict in a more effective and empathetic way. Gráinne is committed to building community, finding common ground, and utilizing humor as a tool for de-escalation, believing in AVP’s potential as a game-changer in conflict resolution.
Anna Kennedy
Board treasurer
Anna Kennedy offers over 20 years of business leadership to her role as board member and treasurer of the Alternatives to Violence Project Ireland. With a strong background in founding and scaling businesses, her expertise in financial stewardship and ethical leadership enriches her contributions to the board. Anna lives in Dublin with her family and Benny, her dog.
Annie Clarke-Kiely
Board member
Annie has over 25 years of experience working in prison settings, bringing a deep understanding of the environment, its culture and its challenges.
Mojtaba Akbari
Board Memebr
Mojtaba (Moji) Akbari is a strategic leader with 17+ years’ experience advising C‑level executives and boards on embedding robust governance, risk, and compliance frameworks into digital transformations that drive sustainability and positive social impact. With expertise across public and private sectors and a comprehensive portfolio of executive accreditations, Moji empowers boards by balancing innovation with regulation, driving long-term sustainable value, eco-friendly practices, and meaningful societal outcomes.
Adam Grennan
Board member
Adam worked for almost four decades in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. He held several leadership positions in multinational companies and served on various industry representative bodies. He is a Chartered Director, holds an MSc in Computer Science and has over 15 years’ experience supporting charities and not-for-profit boards as a Non-Executive Director and Chair. Adam is a member of the Quaker community and passionately believes in the mission, vision and values that underpin the work of AVP.
Jenny Haughton
Board member
A founder director of AVP Ireland, Jenny was responsible for bringing The AVP International Gathering to Ireland in 2014. Rejoining the Board in 2025, she brings a wealth and depth of experience in facilitating workshops, connecting with peace builders internationally, and nurturing relevant development of alternatives to violence in community.
Sarah Sartori
Board member
I currently manage access routes into higher education from further education for South East Technological University (SETU) and am vice-chair of Universities of Sanctuary Ireland (UoSI). My academic background is in Adult and Community education and my PhD was a creative exploration of educational exclusion from the perspective of youth at-risk and people in prison. I have been working with prisoners and former prisoners since 2010 and have been the principal investigator on multiple participatory research and arts-based projects exploring and communicating the stories and experiences from a segment of the population who are often overlooked in public discourse. I am passionate about transformative education as a pathway out of crime and played a key role in the establishment of the Mountjoy Prison and Maynooth University Strategic Partnership (MJMU), and “The Footbridge to the Pathway Project” in Portlaoise Prison.
Adam Grennan
Board member
Adam worked for almost four decades in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. He held several leadership positions in multinational companies and served on various industry representative bodies. He is a Chartered Director, holds an MSc in Computer Science and has over 15 years’ experience supporting charities and not-for-profit boards as a Non-Executive Director and Chair. Adam is a member of the Quaker community and passionately believes in the mission, vision and values that underpin the work of AVP.
Jenny Haughton
Board member
A founder director of AVP Ireland, Jenny was responsible for bringing The AVP International Gathering to Ireland in 2014. Rejoining the Board in 2025, she brings a wealth and depth of experience in facilitating workshops, connecting with peace builders internationally, and nurturing relevant development of alternatives to violence in community.
Sarah Sartori
Board member
I currently manage access routes into higher education from further education for South East Technological University (SETU) and am vice-chair of Universities of Sanctuary Ireland (UoSI). My academic background is in Adult and Community education and my PhD was a creative exploration of educational exclusion from the perspective of youth at-risk and people in prison. I have been working with prisoners and former prisoners since 2010 and have been the principal investigator on multiple participatory research and arts-based projects exploring and communicating the stories and experiences from a segment of the population who are often overlooked in public discourse. I am passionate about transformative education as a pathway out of crime and played a key role in the establishment of the Mountjoy Prison and Maynooth University Strategic Partnership (MJMU), and “The Footbridge to the Pathway Project” in Portlaoise Prison.
Mojtaba Akbari
Board Memebr
Mojtaba (Moji) Akbari is a strategic leader with 17+ years’ experience advising C‑level executives and boards on embedding robust governance, risk, and compliance frameworks into digital transformations that drive sustainability and positive social impact. With expertise across public and private sectors and a comprehensive portfolio of executive accreditations, Moji empowers boards by balancing innovation with regulation, driving long-term sustainable value, eco-friendly practices, and meaningful societal outcomes.
Anna Kennedy
Board treasurer
Anna Kennedy offers over 20 years of business leadership to her role as board member and treasurer of the Alternatives to Violence Project Ireland. With a strong background in founding and scaling businesses, her expertise in financial stewardship and ethical leadership enriches her contributions to the board. Anna lives in Dublin with her family and Benny, her dog.
Annie Clarke-Kiely
Board member
Annie has over 25 years of experience working in prison settings, bringing a deep understanding of the environment, its culture and its challenges.

Principles of good governance

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To make an offline donation toward this cause, follow these steps:

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  2. On the memo line of the check, indicate that the donation is for "AVP Ireland"
  3. Mail your check to:

    AVP Ireland
    111 Not A Real St.
    Anytown, CA 12345

Your tax-deductible donation is greatly appreciated!