The Center for Nonviolent Education and Parenting

CNVEP’s Vision is to change the world, one family at a time, through the acceptance and practice of the principles of nonviolent child raising.

CNVEP’s Mission is to teach effective nonviolent child raising practices based on empathy and compassion in order to deepen adult-child relationships and move toward a culture of peace and understanding.

CNVEP is located in Echo Park, advocating and teaching nonviolent child raising philosophy. CNVEP services the greater Los Angeles community with classes, trainings, workshops, presentations, festivals and conferences; both at it’s Echo Park Location and in schools, home visits and Agencies. Services are available in English and Spanish. Teachings are for adults and appropriate for adults in relationship to children of any age.

Child Care is provided for free at CNVEP during Parenting Classes and is an integral part of the program.

CNVEP is located at 1226 N. Alvarado Street, at Reservoir St, one block north of Sunset Blvd.
In the Echo Park United Methodist Church Building

Defining Nonviolence

Nonviolence honors and respects the value, dignity and life force of the child. CNVEP does not use the word nonviolent in reaction to violence, but as a word that honors the connection with a child that respects the core dignity of the child as a full and complete human being. Therefore, the right relationship to have with a child is one that is built on respect and kindness towards the core feelings and needs of the child.

Violence, we define to include anything that hurts the heart, mind or body of a child and leads to disconnection and distrust. This includes spanking, bribes, threats, name calling, shaming, manipulation, being untruthful or praise and rewards. This view moves beyond the current legal definition of child abuse and into a responsible more comprehensive understanding of what violence toward children can be.

What every human being needs and yearns for is a deep, loving connection with their parents that is built on unconditional acceptance, affection, appreciation, autonomy and attention. It is the parent’s responsibility to be the child’s emotional coach, guiding them through the world of emotions and core basic needs; creating and building emotional intelligence and setting limits.

Learning the Philosophy and Practice of nonviolent child raising gives us a framework to think about our actions as parents and what our children truly need to thrive as healthy human beings. Envisioning our children as adults gives us clarity and insight into the relationship we need to have with our child to bring forth the traits and qualities we hope for their future.