Roots of Empathy

Roots of Empathy is an internationally acclaimed and award-winning children’s charity, founded in 1996 by Founder/President, Mary Gordon; social entrepreneur, educator, parenting expert, child advocate and best-selling author. The organization and its Founder have received prestigious international and national awards for innovation, including the Governor General’s Award for Social Innovation.

Roots of Empathy develops empathy in children today so they can build the world that they deserve. We’ve reached over one million children globally with our elementary school-based programs and we have 2 decades of independent research to prove impact. Our flagship program, Roots of Empathy reduces aggression, including bullying and increases sharing, caring, kindness and inclusion, and promotes resilience, well-being, and positive mental health in children. The organization also delivers a sister program to Roots of Empathy, called Seeds of Empathy, which is delivered to young children in child care centres in Canada, US, and the UK.

Our mission is to build caring, peaceful, and civil societies through the development of empathy in children and adults. Our vision is to change the world, child by child. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, the organization delivers its programs in all ten Canadian provinces and on three continents in multiple languages.

Roots of Empathy is committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of our organization. We believe we are stronger when we not only celebrate our many differences, values, and voices, but also include them in practice.

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