Pacific Island Knowledge 2 Action Resources (PIK2AR) is proud to announce the launch of KAVA Talks UP (Knowledge Above Violence Always) in the Bear Unit of the Utah State Prison. This culturally relevant peer support group for Pacific Islander men and others interested will begin weekly sessions on Friday, November 22, 2024. Each session will run for two hours, fostering connection, accountability, and education rooted in Pacific Island cultural values.
KAVA Talks, an initiative of Empowered Living Services under PIK2AR, began as a domestic violence prevention program and now addresses all forms of violence. The program empowers participants to understand violence prevention, intervention, and healing, to hold themselves and others accountable to live violence-free, and to be part of the solution, not the problem.
In partnership with National CAPCD, the Utah State Financial Association led by Dan Archibald, Celtic Bank, First Electronic Bank, Bank of America, and many other UFSA members, the program includes a 9-week Personal Financial Literacy workshop to help participants develop budgeting and saving skills, building financial resilience while addressing historical and personal traumas.
KAVA Talks is guided by its pledge: “I pledge to stand up and speak out against violence and be part of a non-violent culture in my community.”
Additional curriculum includes a 3-week culturally relevant violence prevention program and bystander intervention training, along with the Call to Men’s Live Respect Curriculum, which challenges harmful stereotypes about masculinity and promotes respect, equity, and accountability.
