Join Suz in supporting Roots of Empathy!

"Children sitting in the classrooms of today are the citizens, the leaders, and the parents of tomorrow."

Mary Gordon, Founder/President, Roots of Empathy

Hello Friends and Family,

As many of you know, I've been involved with Roots of Empathy since 2010. It was first introduced in Seattle for the Seeds of Compassion events that surrounded a visit from the Dalai Lama. At the time, I was starting my first school social work job at Shadow Lake Elementary in Tahoma and my mom encouraged me to look into the program and see if I could bring it to my school. When I learned they used babies as "Tiny Teachers" to nurture empathy in children, I was hooked! Thus began my journey with ROE as an instructor (including later a class in Lewisham, UK when we lived in London), then mentor, and finally now as the Program Manager for ROE in Seattle. (Click here for a story Q13 did on my class at Meridian Park in 2019-2020)

This year, I've been fortunate enough to instruct in my daughter Viv's Kindergarten classroom (her "tiny teacher" is pictured above) as well as several other classes in Seattle, Shoreline, and Bellevue. The focus during these uncertain times is to give children an opportunity to process their experience of the pandemic as well as nurture empathy. It's been heartwarming to listen to kids share their emotions and see the connections created as they listen and empathize with one another. What is also very clear though, is the increased need for mental health and social emotional support. Programs like Roots of Empathy truly are more important than ever!

Please join me in supporting this wonderful organization as we expand our connections with schools and hopefully, reach more children in Seattle and the surrounding area than ever before.

And, of course, if you are having a baby that will be 2-4 months in Sept/Oct or are interested in volunteering as an instructor, please let me know!

Warmly,

Suz

(sfix@rootsofempathy.org)