The Children’s Empowerment Project is an award-winning after school program for girls and boys ages 6 to 11. In addition to our goju karate practice, we explore physical and verbal self-defense, conflict resolution and communication skills, and discuss issues of safety and justice for young people.

We offer young people a safe, inclusive, and non-competitive environment where they can explore issues with their peers, develop a wide range of strengths and abilities, and have a lot of fun in an extremely youth-positive setting.

Our classes have an equal number of boys and girls and reflect the racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity of our Brooklyn neighborhood.


In addition to their weekly classes, children also have the opportunity to participate in our annual community project. At the end of each year, the children themselves choose, design & participate in a community project to address the destructiveness of violence. Some past topics for our projects have included bullies, stopping the war, environmental awareness and the ratification of the U.N. resolution on The Rights of the Child.

CAE offers our children's course on a sliding scale (based on income).

To determine your particular fee you can call our office between 10 AM and 6 PM. (718) 788-1775.

Classes are organized by age, however exceptions can be made for siblings. CEP students must be able to arrive to class on time after-school.

Wednesdays, 3:45-4:45 pm: Ages 9-11
Fridays, 3:45-4:45 pm: Ages 6-8



“The most important thing I learned here is there are ways to express yourself without fighting or insults.” (10 year-old boy)

“This place is different from other places because it’s open to all religious beliefs, races and sexual preferences…it deals with ‘weaker’ positions in our community (children women, lesbians, bisexuals, gays, etc.), and it is against war in Iraq and for world peace.”
(13 year-old girl)

"This place teaches to defend yourself, and it teaches you that with all kinds of situations. It also teaches you to get along.” (10 year-old girl)

“This place I feel safe, it’s fun, and you learn a lot.” (11 year-old girl)

“It’s cool how we have both teenagers and adults teaching us here.” (10 year-old girl)

“I’ve learned that you can do anything you put your mind to.” (12 year-old boy)



The Children's Empowerment Project runs through the school year only. You must call to pre-register in advance, and schedule an appointment to register in full. Spaces for this course are limited.