The Center For Anti-Violence Education Inc

I have been honored to be a part of this organization since 1992. Through this organization, I was taught to be a self-defense instructor, and have taken that work to Japan. Through this organization, I gained an understanding of physical, mental, and spiritual power, and also the gift of teaching. CAE has the capacity to spread its philosophy and knowledge of anti-violence and peace through the people they touch, by having incredible curricula, supporting their constituents in their programs, and most of all by providing the foundation of creating a diverse community.

I trained at CAE for many years. In many ways, CAE helped me to grow up. The classes, and the opportunities to teach there helped me become more confident, and empowered me to try out things I never would have dreamed I could do. The community of CAE supported me through many phases of my life. the community I found there is still one I feel I can rely on. The skills and self-confidence I developed there still help me in my daily life. i would not be the same person if CAE had not been a part of my life.

I trained at CAE for many years. As a single mother, it was a sanctuary for me where I was able to devote time to strengthening myself, learn new skills, study self-defense, and engage with an incredibly supportive and inspiring community- all the while, free child-care was provided for my young child, as was the opportunity to pay a sliding scale fee. If it weren't for those two options, I would never have been able to train and learn so much about abilities that I never before believed my body had. The environment was always non-intimidating and welcoming. Later, my daughter also trained there in karate, and the classes incorporated practical techniques of children's self-defense.
Throughout the years, CAE has always been a great resource and a center for organizing and activism, always a hub when it was time to support a community cause or participate in a larger one. It's the kind of center I wish every neighborhood or town could have, an oasis of support, thought and action.

I trained at CAE in the mid nineties when it was still Brooklyn Women's Martial arts. When I moved back to Brooklyn last year I returned as a karate student and also enrolled my daughter in the Children's Empowerment Project. CAE continues to be a haven of integrity and social justice and a supportive and exciting place to train. I LOVE training here. My instructors and classmates are wonderful, and coming to karate class gets me in touch with a sense of connection, authenticity, and power that makes it easier to face the more challenging parts of my life.
I also love sending my daughter here and knowing that she is in a safe environment surrounded by positive influences.
CAE is a gem. Its commitment to bringing martial arts and self defense to women and transpeople has been unwavering over the years. Being a part of the CAE community is for me one of the best things about living in Brooklyn.

I have known CAE since its beginning, 37 years ago: I was one of Annie and Nadia's first karate students. I watched it evolve into a community organization welcoming all women, adapting its self-defense programs to every kind of need and ability. I've recently (about four years ago) come back as a t'ai chi student. What is amazing to me is that it is the same place, stronger than ever-- older, wiser, much more sophisticated, but with the same radical openness to all comers, the same intense focus on making every interaction, every class, every program, every event, work. As far as I can tell, CAE lives its mission, and lives its ideals.

I took a 5-week Self-Defense course in 1993 which was very effective and supportive, so when I was invited, as part of that course, to take one free Karate class, I did so, even though I thought to myself, "Me? Karate?? Never!" Well, one class was all it took. Thirteen years of studying martial arts followed, and I am honestly a different, better person both for the physical skills I learned, the community I joined, the friends I made, and the awareness of issues I gained such as gender discrimination and social injustice.

I now walk the streets with more confidence, have better verbal self-defense and personal boundary skills, and treat others with as much respect as possible. I know how to take care of myself and share that knowledge with friends and family.

One of dozens of examples I can offer is a bit of a funny story. While dancing in a club, a man approached me on the dance floor and attempted to put his arms around my waist. I looked him in the eye, stepped back and said firmly, Don't touch me. He backed off immediately, insulted, but why should I worry about insulting him? He said he was a TV soap opera star and don't I recognize him? That I missed my chance! Ha! What an ego! I will only be touched when and by whom I chose.

There are more serious stories to share, but I'll end here. I can't imagine myself today without CAE, a unique and wonderful organization which has touched the lives of thousands. It changes lives, like mine.

CAE is truly a very special place. It truly has helped me understand the "little Girl" inside me and to really know how to take care of myself. I feel so blessed to continue to reap the fruits of CAE and to share with other folks.

Thank you so much!

When I started classes at cae 18 years ago I knew I had found a special place. Since then I have witnessed the way the organization has served countless women of all ages and backgrounds find ways to become stronger, more confident and in control of their lives. It is a unique organization that fills a great need and addresses emotional and physical violence that women experience. It is a great place. I know I learned a great deal and it helped me reconceptualize self defense.

I took a self-defense course at CAE 14 years ago and felt a connection to the organization that I didn't expect - like this is where I belong. CAE's social philosopy and strong sense of community made me feel safe, strong and whole. For example, at age 61, I started karate and have been training ever since. In anothe environment, being decades older than other students, would be intimidating. The respect, support and encouragement shown to me by the CAE community is shown to each individual whatever their age or circumstance. This philosophy, woven into the fabric of CAE, filters through each of us who are privileged to be a member of the CAE community.

Not only does CAE help teach concrete, physical skills, but they empower women, LGBT individuals, youth, and many others by helping them to find their voice and recognize their own mental and emotional strength. This holistic approach, as well as CAE's dedication to their community, makes it a truly unique organization. From free programs to survivors of domestic violence to free childcare for all of their classes, CAE consistently demonstrates a commitment to thier values of creating a peaceful and equitable world. As a prior student, I continue to benefit from lessons I learned when I first took the self-defense course in 2005. As a prior employee, I am proud to have contributed to such meaningful programs.

CAE has allowed me to use my body and my brain and my heart in one place. It is the place I had been looking for for a long time and am so glad that I found it. I am a karate student and from the first class have been hooked--our martial arts are made approachable and welcoming in ways that I have not experienced elsewhere.

CAE is a unique organization that models great programming for other non-profits. The approach to anti-violence work incorporating self-defense and martial arts is a blend of mind, body, and spirit that inspires and educates in a profound way. Not coincidentally, it's also a wonderful community of people.

CAE is a truly one of a kind organization. It not only teaches the physical techniques of karate and self defense but it also is the most empowering organization that I have ever been a part of. To echo many other reviews, I joined the organization to learn karate but being part of the organization changed my life in so many ways.

My name is Ijana Nathaniel and I worked at the YWCA of Brooklyn and I experienced many workshops through the Center for Anti-Violence Education program. I took a self defense class for women about two years ago, and it helped me a lot. The class was for women who survived, or experienced some sort of assault in the past. The other women in the group benefited from the workshop as well.

This organization is rare and a great asset for the women in girls in Brooklyn NY.

I highly recommend the Center for Anti-Violence Education to win this grant.

Thank you,

Ijana Nathaniel

I've been active at CAE for 15 years, though I never expected signing up for karate on a whim would start me down a life-changing path of martial arts and self-defense for all women and children. I came for the karate, but I stayed because of the unwavering commitment to social justice for all and the way CAE's programs help people discover their strength.

The Center works to eliminate violence against women and children. Being a part of this organization has shown me how to move responsibly in the world and I have had the privilege of participating in all programs and seeing firsthand the amazing impact the curricula has on people.

I started off taking classes here, I began to feel empowered, more aware and I felt safer because of all the techniques I learned to protect myself. It started with a self defense course, then a teen self defense/karate class and now I volunteer to teach others. CAE is amazing and I would be lost without their caring.

The sense of community that CAE fosters is without peer. CAE was there when I needed to learn not just self-defense, but personal empowerment at its most basic "Yes, I Can!" level. The staff, volunteers and fellow students are some of the most cooperative, accepting and warm people I have ever come across. Everyone is invested in each other's success, and that is the secret to CAE's success.

I love CAE because it was the first organization that I encountered that provided actual solutions for Youth, LGBT individuals, and women those which happen to be the most likely to experience violence. CAE empowers in the truest since of the word. It's programs provides a platform that teaches wellness through personal confidence and naturally provides the tools for those who participate in its programs to be fierce self advocates. As a woman, I am honored to be of service to an organization such as CAE and look forward to building on its successful 30 year legacy of service to our most vulnerable communities.

My daughter took karate class at the Center. It was an incredibly important and empowering experience for her, and we were very grateful for the kind and sensitive staff. A vital resource for the community.

For me learning Tai Chi has been a life long goal. I went to the Center for Anti Violence Education (CAE) to learn this unique martial arts. In learning Tai Chi, I have gained confidence and strength. To me CAE is a haven that offers acceptance, respect and support. I look forward to my weekly Tai Chi classes.

My son took karate and learned self defense and awareness with teachers who loved him for himself. As a kid who was bullied in grade school -- and whose teachers implied that the bullying was sort of his own fault -- that was so important for him!

It was an honor to work briefly at CAE in an administrative role, and to see the hard work and dedication that is inherent to their transformational work. I am in awe of the many vibrant and passionate individuals who have committed to bettering their communities with CAE's help.

When I moved to Brooklyn with my two young daughters from Indianapolis, we were scared and overwhelmed. My daughters were being bullied at school and I was being bullied by unfair and callous court decisions being made about our family. The people at CAE exemplified courage, compassion and acceptance. After having taken the self defense classes at CAE, I watched my daughters transform from being timid to becoming leaders at school. I too found courage to take better care of myself through the classes I've taken there.
We have been embraced and strengthened by the CAE community. They have become family to us. Thank you CAE!

I took classes at the Center for Anitviolence Education (CAE) when I was little. My mother enrolled me in self-defense classes when I was about 6 years old. I stuck with it, taking karate classes and eventually working with the Peer Educators program.
In my time at CAE I learned how to confidentally and safely defend myself. I also learned how to assert myself and stick up for my body and mind. CAE strengthened me, improved my self-esteem and instilled me with pride in myself as a strong girl.
They continue to offer classes and programs to youth and women, carrying on the incredibly valuable and inspirational work they've done for decades.

When I signed up for karate classes at CAE, I just expected to learn karate. I've done that, but I've also gotten so much more! CAE is such a wonderful force for good in the community, and I am honored to be a participant. In addition to continuing studying karate, I've begun training to become a self-defense instructor at CAE so that I can pass on what I've received, and help CAE's mission.

I have been both a volunteer and a client served by CAE, but I am writing as a client served. It is hard to express how important this organization has been to me and others during its history. By training and, later, teaching at CAE I learned more about diversity, pedagogy, the complexities of embodiment, and accessibility than I did in eight years of graduate school. On a personal level, training in karate taught me to be fully present in my body. On a social level, the school's ongoing commitment to real inclusiveness and real diversity on several different levels, has been an ongoing inspiration.

Although I am a provider at a local non-profit organization, I consider myself a client of CAE because my contact with them has been as a student at their trainings on coping with violence in the workplace. At my work site there were some potentially violent incidents involving anti-LGBT acts and statements from members of the surroudning community, and there were also some incidents in which clients of the facility were verbally and could have been physically violent towards staff. These incidents prompted us to invite CAE to train staff in how to cope. Staff from other programs in the agency were also invited. Our trainer was competent and responsive. Youth program staff at my work site have since invited CAE to provide self-defense classes for LGBTQ youth, and later this month they are doing a self-defense workshop for LGBT adults.
Overall, I commend CAE for the important, timely work they do, as well as for their willingness to come to an outer borough during evening hours. Not every agency is as accommodating.

i took a women's self-defense class here and it was great!

My daughter has been learning karate at CAE for the past year and she enjoys it tremendously. She sometimes demonstrates to us at home what she has learned and I can see that she has really learned a lot. She always looks forward to attending class there. I think the karate training has helped her physically and also with her ability to follow directions and to focus. We think very highly of CAE