Roots of Empathy

Our mission is to build caring, peaceful, and civil societies through the development of empathy in children and adults.

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

Mary Gordon, Founder/President, Roots of Empathy

For 26 years we have been working in classrooms across US, Canada and around the world to help children develop empathy. Research on Roots of Empathy from three continents proves that when empathy goes up, violence, aggression and bullying go down and stay down. Research also confirms that prosocial skills like inclusion, caring, sharing and kindness go up, and stay up.

Washington is a leader in the US - the first state to introduce Roots of Empathy programs to school children. Over the past 15 years, Roots of Empathy has reached thousands of elementary school children and welcomed hundreds of babies into WA classrooms. 

Please help us support children in developing empathy so that they will build caring, peaceful and civil societies where every person feels they belong.

"When we are able to find peace in the heart, we have the chance to make peace in the land."

Mary Gordon, Founder/President, Roots of Empathy