Youth and Education

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OPHC understands that hate is learned, but it can also be unlearned. By prioritizing education initiatives and the creation of curricular resources for youth, OPHC has engaged in long-term approaches to preventing hate crimes in New York City through:


HeARTwork Against Hate Contest

The HeARTwork Against Hate is a creative initiative for New York City youth launched by the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes in September 2020.

It is important to support young New Yorkers at a time of great stress resulting from the combination of a global pandemic, economic uncertainty, school changes, scapegoating, and issues of systemic racism that have come to the fore. HeARTwork Against Hate is an opportunity and a platform for young New Yorkers to use artistic expression as an outlet. 

Learn more about HeARTwork Against Hate

Heroes Against Hate

The NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) in partnership  with NYC-based comic book artist Michael O’Shea, created the Comic Book Project, and, in partnership with OPHC, focused the 2020 project on the theme,   “Heroes Against Hate.” 

The  comic book tells the story of young New Yorkers joining forces with “Nurse Healthy” to battle the villain “Mr. No Mask”  to bring New Yorkers together against hate, discrimination, and harassment. 

View the “Heroes Against Hate” comic book

Youth Ambassador Leadership Program

The NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC) Youth Ambassador Leadership Program (YALP)  empowers young New Yorkers, ages 8 to 18, to become leaders of inclusion, equity, and respect in their schools and communities. Open citywide, the program provides hands-on training in leadership, public speaking, civic engagement, and organizing. Through workshops, peer-led projects, mentorship, and collaboration with city leaders, ambassadors gain the tools to recognize and respond to bias while building inclusive spaces. The program culminates in a Youth Leadership Summit, celebrating student-led initiatives and their community impact. For more information about YALP, please visit Youth Ambassador Leadership Program.