Citywide “Safe, Seen, Strong” Workshops Kicked Off In Brooklyn On September 24th Using Awareness, Alertness Coupled With Bystander Intervention Techniques Taught By Martial Arts Education Society

October 9, 2025 Martial Arts Education Society 0 Babies and Kids, Charity, Civil Rights, Equality, Morality and Ethics, New York City News, Staten Islander Exclusive

The following questions were asked of William Kwok, the founder of the Martial Arts Education Society

What do these frameworks look like in action? See videos below of the techniques in action

Do you have plans to come to Staten Island as well as the other boroughs? What local groups are you affiliated with that can help bring your course to more places? Are there organizations on Staten Island that are assisting you?

We are planning to expand across all five boroughs. Homecrest is coordinating local partnerships and scheduling. [They are seeking Staten Island organizations to partner with who would like to bring this program to their group, whether children, families, seniors, etc.]

Are there any groups that are being focused on by your organization for these classes (such as those who are bullied, disabled youth, kids in after-school programs or disadvantaged areas, etc.)?

The program is flexible and supports diverse groups including youth experiencing bullying, immigrant families, seniors, and communities in disadvantaged areas. While the initiative began with an AANHPI focus, the Safe ABCD and S.A.F.E.R. frameworks apply broadly to anyone who is looking for practical tools for safety and resilience.

What types of encounters have these techniques been shown to be effective for?

These techniques work best for low to medium risk encounters such as verbal harassment, bias incidents on public transit, and neighborhood confrontations. In these situations, calm communication, bystander action, and clear boundaries can help reduce harm.

On September 24, Safe · Seen · Strong (3S) Community Safety Workshop was hosted by Homecrest Community Services in partnership with The Asian American Foundation, the NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, and the Martial Arts Education Society

Safe · Seen · Strong (3S) Initiative Kicks Off in Brooklyn to Empower AANHPI Communities Citywide

Brooklyn, NY — On September 24, Homecrest Community Services (HCS) hosted a Safe · Seen · Strong (3S) Community Safety Workshop at its Bensonhurst Center, drawing more than 100 residents, ages 14 to 96, for interactive training on personal safety and bystander intervention. The 90-minute program was presented in partnership with The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), the NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC), and the Martial Arts Education Society (MAES).

The workshop introduced two easy-to-remember frameworks developed by William Kwok, Ed.D., founder of MAES: SAFE—Awareness, Boundaries, Counter, De-escalation—for personal protection, and S.A.F.E.R.—Support, Alert, Focus Shift, Evidence, Respond—for bystander action. Through case studies, reflection exercises, and short drills, participants practiced how to set boundaries, create safe distractions, document incidents responsibly, and support others while avoiding unnecessary risk. The session emphasized that safety comes not only from physical techniques but also from awareness, calm communication, and collective resilience.

“This workshop is just the beginning,” said Wai Yee Chan, President and CEO of Homecrest Community Services. “While we are proud to launch it here in Brooklyn, our vision is citywide. Through the 3S initiative, we aim to support AANHPI communities across all five boroughs in the next few months so that every AANHPI community member can feel safe, seen, and strong. By equipping participants with both practical skills and the spirit of looking out for one another, we are building not only protection, but also mutual trust and solidarity.”

The event was joined by Vijah Ramjattan, Executive Director of the NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, who underscored the City’s commitment to community safety. “The NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC) is grateful to our community partners for hosting this important safety workshop,” said Ramjattan. “We are committed to supporting the AANHPI community and ensuring that all New Yorkers can feel safe, valued, and connected. Programs like this not only raise awareness but also strengthen the bonds that keep our neighborhoods resilient.”

The workshop was facilitated by William Kwok, Ed.D., founder of the Martial Arts Education Society, who brought more than two decades of international martial arts and community training experience. “Many people think self-defense is about striking back, but true safety begins with awareness, composure, and clear boundaries,” said Kwok. “Sometimes a look, a word, or a steady posture can prevent danger. With the SAFE and S.A.F.E.R. frameworks, participants saw how bystander actions such as supporting afterward, calling for help, creating a distraction, documenting safely, or responding directly when safe can transform fear into empowerment and strengthen our collective safety.”

The Safe · Seen · Strong initiative reflects Homecrest’s ongoing commitment to community resilience and partnership. Following this Brooklyn kickoff, HCS and its partners plan to explore expanding similar workshops across New York City’s five boroughs in the next few months.

Special Note:

This workshop was also covered by leading Chinese-language media outlets in New York, including Sing Tao Daily, World Journal, and China Press, reflecting strong engagement from the AANHPI community.