Roots of Empathy

Posted by Patricia Anderson

Photograph of Ursula Hardwick, program facilitator, by Glen Bonderud

Roots of Empathy is an in-school program launched to foster a caring community within the classroom and to reduce bullying and other forms of peer aggression.

UPDATE! At the meeting of January 15, 2010, the club voted to donate $2050.00 to the program for 2010/2011.

The program's facilitator, Ursula Hardwick, spoke to the club, December 18, 2009, on the success of Roots of Empathy in the PH area and elsewhere on the Coast. Running once a week for a full school year, the program has been offered at the grade 7 and kindergarten levels. Students engage in reading and writing activities about their experiences and, in addition, they interact with a volunteer family that has an infant. The presence of the baby in the classroom diffuses aggression among the students and cultivates their sense of social responsibility and empathy with other people.

The school district has cut funding to the program and outside help is needed to continue the curriculum, buy supplies, and engage speakers and facilitators. The club is looking into offering assistance.

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