Our mission is to empower young people with the skills to become self-sufficient and responsible young adults, preparing them to meet the challenges of adolescence and urban life in a safe, supportive setting.

• Teen Trainers Institute: A unique yeararound program run by and for teens, providing training workshops, presentations, and conferences for youth citywide, on issues of violence prevention in schools, among peers and in intimate relationships. In 1992, it was the first of its kind nationally. 
• Fostering Youth Leadership: The program helps foster teens prepare for successful, independent adulthood by providing peer support, skills training and jobs for youth in NYC’s foster care system. Staffed by present and former foster youth.
• DoVE: The Domestic Violence Empowerment program, through Councilmember Palma’s office, funds EARS to train students and adults on the Stevenson High School campus and coordinate the teen domestic violence initiatives available to the 5,000 students attending high school there.
• PASE Compassion Consortium: EARS was one of five NYC youth organizations selected for this federal initiative bringing together faith-based and community based organizations to strengthen their sustainability and effectiveness.
• Respect for All Initiative: sponsored by the Department of Education, provides intensive training for school-based staff addressing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender youth violence, helping create safe space in our schools for all students. EARS provides expert trainers for this project through Operation Respect. 
• Model Youth Empowerment Programs: Serve over 350 at-risk youth and staff members in Bronx high schools with innovative, school-wide conflict resolution initiatives.
• Community Programming: sponsored by grants from the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, EARS provides workshops and trainings for community leaders, youth and adults, to promote awareness and address the issues affecting adolescents in our communities.
• Summer Youth Internship Program: An intensive training program for teen leaders providing professional facilitation training workshops, individual coaching and stipends for training. “Graduates” provide workshops to peers and adults in community based and professional organizations citywide.
• Community School District/Region Projects: Comprehensive service delivery tailored to each site’s needs, offering conflict resolution, peer mediation training, staff development, classroom management, and workshops for parents. EARS has been working successfully in NYC schools since 1989.

The “EARS experience” has helped hundreds of young people launch successful careers in the youth violence prevention and related fields.  Youth involved in EARS programs learn to set goals, acquire communication skills and gain self-confidence. And above all, EARS provides a safe place for young people to learn and practice life skills necessary to become successful adults. 

EARS is an incorporated, not-for-profit organization with 501©3 status. We are supported by private, federal, state and local sources. To donate time, resources, or for more information call (718) 654-4931.