HEART’s mission is to foster compassion & respect for all living beings & the environment by educating youth & teachers in humane education
Humane Education Advocates Reaching Teachers’ (HEART’s) services are specially designed to provide a combined focus on human rights, animal protection and environmental ethics. Our direct services to educators and students, as well as our city and state level advocacy efforts, enable us to significantly impact the way young people think about their responsibility to one another, animals and the natural world.
By linking our age-appropriate instructional program to our service-based learning program, we give students the tools to make positive changes. As the only full-service provider of humane education in the New York City and Chicago areas, we are able to reach thousands of students each year with our programs. Our services are offered at no cost to schools and other non-profit agencies.
Our Programs
- 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
- Encourage students to strive for a sustainable society while protecting natural resources and the environment
- Offer an effective way to reduce and prevent violence in school and at home
Upcoming Events & News
HEART’s Caring Kids Program in the NY Daily News
We’re proud to say that HEART’s Caring Kids after-school program at Animal Haven was in the NY Daily News today! The kids learned about animal testing and met a rescued beagle named Juno. Check out the full article.
HEART Students Speak Out Against Gang Violence
Under HEART’s direction, 8th grade students at Westcott Elementary School in Chicago share their experiences with gang violence and how they’re speaking out to help make their community a safer place. Check out the video! And a big thank you to our volunteer Chuck Stepner for all his hard work.
HEART Celebrates National Youth Service Day
HEART, Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City, Bruised Not Broken and the ASPCA are teaming up to celebrate National Youth Service Day. Bigs and Littles will learn about important issues that affect animals, interact with an adorable, rescued, special needs pit bull who is a therapy dog, make toys for shelter animals, and have a Q&A with a Humane Law Enforcement Agent from the ASPCA. Check out the flier! Please note: This event isn’t available to the general public.
2nd Annual Clothing Swap to Benefit HEART in NYC
On April 21st from 11am – 2pm come support HEART at the 2nd annual charity clothing swap in NYC. For every item you bring, you get to take an item of your choosing home. It’s the perfect way to celebrate Earth Day weekend and clean out your closet at the same time. Get your tickets in advance for $12 and save some cash. Get more ticket information here.
Teaching for the 21st Century: Bringing Humane Education into the Classroom
Saturday, April 28, 2012, 8:30 am – 5pm
In this day-long workshop, offered through a collaboration between the Institute for Humane Education and HEART (Humane Education Advocates Reaching Teachers), educators will have the opportunity to explore the pressing issues of our time and assess the role of schooling to address them. Teachers will learn how to bring global ethical issues into the classroom through innovative activities and approaches that enable their students to become conscientious choicemakers and engaged changemakers for a more humane, peaceable, and healthy world. Find out how to sign up here.
ASPCA Grant
We’re pleased to announce the ASPCA has awarded HEART a $50,000 grant to support our humane education programs in New York, Chicago and Indianapolis! Check out the full press release for the details.
Sign Up for a Professional Development Course in Humane Education
Saturdays from March 3rd through May 19th in NYC
HEART, the ASPCA and the UFT Humane Education Committee are offering a 36-hour After School Professional Development (ASPDP) P-course for teachers on eight Saturdays in the Spring 2012 semester. Learn to enhance student science and literacy skills while increasing knowledge of humane topics, including Jane Goodall and chimpanzees, companion animals, wildlife, farmed animals, humane literature, environmental issues and human rights. Click here to learn how to sign up.
Video: Stockton School Has HEART
Thanks to volunteer Chuck Stepner, HEART has a new video showing student testimonials from the youth and teachers at Stockton School in Chicago. Watch them talk about their experience with humane education learning about human rights, animal protection and environmental ethics. Check it out!
2011 Newsletter
Check out HEART’s 2011 fall newsletter and read all about our first summer camp, new teacher training initiatives and exciting partnerships.
A Case for Humane Education
HEART instructor Tim Donahue writes “A Case for Humane Education” for Independent Teacher magazine.