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HEART's mission is to foster compassion and respect for all living beings and the environment by educating youth and teachers in Humane Education. Our goal is the infusion of Humane Education into all educational settings.

HEART works to:

  • Create better students, compassionate citizens and contributors to the greater community.
  • Foster a sense of responsibility for children to act upon their personal beliefs.
  • Cultivate empathy for animals, and as a result, decrease animal abuse in our society.
  • Offer an effective way to reduce and prevent violence in school and at home.
  • Encourage students to strive for a sustainable society while protecting natural resources and the environment.

    What is HEART's purpose?
    HEART was established in 2001 to introduce humane education to youth and teachers. Humane education cultivates respect and compassion for other human beings, animals and the environment. Character education is an integral component of humane education that teaches core values, such as respect, responsibility, compassion, empathy and empowerment. Many states, including New York, have laws requiring both character and humane education, but those laws tend to be virtually ignored. One of HEART's goals is to increase compliance with such laws.

    What are HEART's programs?
    HEART's vision includes becoming a "full service" provider of humane education. Its services include: teacher training through workshops, seminars and classroom presentations; curriculum and lesson development and implementation support; and consultation services. HEART's newest initiative, The Humane Living Program, is being launched in NYC and surrounding area schools. This unique, model program combines humane and character education into school curricula to help children develop compassion, a sense of justice and a respect for the value of all living creatures and the natural world. Its instruction motivates children to think critically, act responsibly and make choices according to their own beliefs.