Earthen Vessels was founded to work with at-risk inner-city youngsters from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds to help build self-esteem, confidence, personal character and mutual understanding across traditional boundaries of sex, race, and culture. It encourages young people to envision their lives in an open-ended way; to realize that their choices and actions can make a real difference; to set, pursue and reach goals, including higher education; and to make a contribution to their diverse communities.