Making a Difference With Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

The Haven Initiative was created to positively impact at-risk youth in the Syracuse community by improving their health, confidence, and ability to solve problems.

What we do

What Is The Haven Initiative?

Our goal is to teach at-risk youth Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to positively impact the Syracuse Community by improving their health, confidence, and problem-solving ability; using Police Officers trained in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to assist in coaching the children to improve community relations, provide role models to the youth, and enhance relationships between the youth and the officers.

Teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to at-risk youth, using well-trained Police Officers as coaches, will positively impact the children and community by:

  • Improving children's confidence
  • Creating self-motivated children
  • Improving Children's Self-Image
  • Improving the problem-solving abilities of the children
  • Improving the ability of kids to deal with adversity, and providing a foundation to rely upon
  • Improving the relationships between the at-risk youth and Police by having well trained Police Officers assist in coaching
  • Improving community relationships with the Police by forging student/coach relationships that provide positive role models for the children, and facilitate buy-in and interpersonal accountability between community members and the Police Officers.

The First Haven Initiative Class Is In the Books!

First Haven Initiative class in the books. It was a massive success with tons of different agencies showing up to help.


All the parents and especially the children seem to love learning jiu jitsu with the law enforcement officers. I couldn't be happier with the overall outcome and I look forward to doing more of these in the future. Thank you to the Syracuse Police for hosting us and everyone who game together to help make the event possible.  The officers and departments should be extremely proud supporting all these amazing kids. 


This helps remind people that all of us are in this together and law enforcement is here to help. Let's keep putting law enforcement in the positive light they deserve and putting community first!


- Coach Tallini (Haven Jiu Jitsu)

Why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a self-defense martial art focused on taking an opponent to the ground and getting to different positions of control. Different from other martial arts in that it rarely uses strikes, its objectives are achieved through grappling techniques allowing a trained person to achieve control of an opponent through the use of proper positioning, leverage and weight distribution.


BJJ is a great way to develop self-defense skills, build confidence, and learn how to control your anger. BJJ also offers many other benefits, including improved focus, increased energy levels, and getting fit.


The martial art was originally developed in the 1920’s when members of the Gracie family in Brazil were taught the traditional Japanese martial arts of Judo and Jujutsu. The Gracie’s modified the lessons and techniques from these arts into their own system that over time developed into what we now know as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It’s popularity in the United States took off with the advent of the UFC in the 1990’s, and is now trained by millions of people of all ages and backgrounds across the country as a safe way to learn self-defense and get exercise.

Jiu Jitsu Can Help You Stay Fit And Healthy

The physical demands of Jiu Jitsu can help you burn calories and stay in shape. In addition, Jiu Jitsu can improve your flexibility, strength, and balance. All of these benefits can help you live a healthier lifestyle.

Learn Practical Self-Defense Techniques

If you're looking for a martial art that can help you learn self-defense techniques, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is one of the best options. Many people choose to study BJJ because it offers a high level of protection, even against larger opponents. BJJ allows you to control an opponent without causing serious harm.

Jiu Jitsu Can Improve Your Mental Health

Jiu Jitsu can improve your mental health by teaching you how to deal with difficult situations in a calm and controlled manner. The discipline and focus required to learn Jiu Jitsu can also help you to stay focused and productive in other areas of your life.

Jiu Jitsu Can Help You Build Teamwork Skills

Jiu Jitsu can help you build teamwork skills. Jiu Jitsu is a martial art that focuses on grappling and ground fighting. It is a great way to build teamwork skills because it requires two or more people to train and learn the techniques.

Jiu Jitsu Can Help You Become More Disciplined

One of the benefits of Jiu Jitsu is that it can help you become more disciplined. When you are learning a new skill, you have to be dedicated and put in the work in order to see results. Jiu Jitsu is no exception. In order to progress and become better, you have to be willing to train regularly and learn from your mistakes. Jiu Jitsu can help teach you discipline and how to stay committed to a goal.

SEE WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY ABOUT US

Jamison Carr
Jamison Carr
2022-09-22
Verified
Ben is a great coach that pushes you to strive for your best. He breaks jiu jitsu down to a fundamental and digestible format. He provides videos of the entire curriculum online to watch and revisit details you may have missed in class. He also will review video of your matches to give you personalized advice to improve your game. Haven goes above and beyond to help each other get better at jiu jitsu.
cam k
cam k
2022-09-12
Verified
Great place, very welcoming, and hard working group.
Jeff Iglesias
Jeff Iglesias
2022-08-24
Verified
Fantastically professional and clean gym, great instructors, and overall was a fantastic visit. Came to do some drop in training while on vacation and was glad I did.
Rj Kristensen
Rj Kristensen
2022-08-23
Verified
Great gym, was my first time attempting bjj went with my buddy Jason and his buddy Joe on a Saturday, everyone was super cool and welcoming. Got absolutely smoked. Bought a shirt, can't wait to get back to az and start training. 100% would get choked their again!
Tyler Ladd
Tyler Ladd
2022-08-21
Verified
Incredible and clean gym. The guys here are phenomenal at what they do, educational, and bring solid vibes. Well worth it
A D
A D
2022-08-11
Verified
Visited the gym from out of the town and the owner/students were very welcoming. Instruction was great and the students are serious athletes. Each minute was used wisely and every roll was competitive. I Highly recommend and will def visit again!
Michele
Michele
2022-08-11
Verified
Really great gym! The instructor/owner Ben is wonderful and really knows his stuff. The facility is huge and even has a kids room. The students are welcoming, hardworking, and passionate. I highly recommend joining this gym or if you’re visiting you should stop by!
John Abramson
John Abramson
2022-07-30
Verified
Todd Delmar
Todd Delmar
2022-07-27
Verified
Jason Ryerson
Jason Ryerson
2022-04-18
Verified
I've been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with Ben Tallini, head instructor and owner, for over 5 years. If there's an instructor in Central New York more knowledgeable, passionate, and caring of his students, I haven't met them. Here, you'll learn practical and effective technique that actually works.
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