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Marking 30 Years of Growing Empathy

This year, Roots of Empathy turns 30. As Founder, I am continually amazed by how our understanding — and valuing — of empathy has evolved over these three decades.

At our core, our purpose remains unchanged: to build caring, peaceful, and civil societies through the development of empathy in children and adults. At the same time, this moment has invited us to sharpen our focus in two important and complementary directions.

In 2025, we established BoysCare™, responding to the urgent need to nurture empathy in boys so they can grow into men who experience healthy, positive masculinity. We are also deepening our work in support of democracy — because in times of rising division, empathy remains essential to sustaining civil, democratic life. These areas of focus have been affirmed through support in the United States from the Melinda Gates’ Pivotal group.

Alongside growth, we remain guided by empathy. We grieve in solidarity with the community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, following the tragic loss of life. While we do not believe in “ambulance chasing,” we do believe in holding hands across divides — and we will reach out with support when the time is right.

As conversations continue nationally around the crisis of suicide and poor mental health in men, we plan to engage the Canadian federal government on how empathy can be part of meaningful change.

Everything reflected here — past, present, and future — is shared work. None of it is possible without you. Enjoy the stories and moments below, offering a glimpse into the impact we are making together.

Gratefully,

Mary Gordon
Founder, President & CEO

 

Susan McKane: Roots of Empathy Instructor for 24 years

Susan’s professional life has always been rooted in education — but not just in teaching children. Early in her career, she discovered that supporting parents was just as powerful. After teaching primary school in Toronto and Ireland, Susan...

 
 

An Olympian, a Nurse, a New Parent — and a Roots of Empathy Volunteer

Heather Abdilla (née MacLean) represented Canada at the 2012 London Olympics. Today, she’s helping nurture empathy in the next generation — one classroom at a time. In this video, she shares her hopes for Roots of Empathy and the impact she sees it having on children and communities.

 
 

Standing Together Against Bullying

This Pink Shirt Day, we're reminded that empathy starts with understanding. For 30 years, Roots of Empathy has been fostering children's empathy in the most powerful way possible — through our "Tiny Teachers." When a baby visits a classroom, children learn to recognize emotions, understand vulnerability, and truly care about others. These experiences change how children see their classmates and the world around them. Research shows that when empathy grows, bullying and aggression decreases — and we see it happen in our classrooms every day. Join us in building a generation that refuses to look away. 💗

 

An Instructor Shares a Heartfelt Moment 

"On theme 5 about relationships, we were talking about feelings and how important it is to share them with others.

We also talked about bullying and how it hurts others’ feelings. And there was a child who wanted to share his feelings and, all of a sudden, he started to..."

 
 

Empathy in Action: A Principal's Perspective

In the video by RTÉ News in Ireland, you’ll hear from a school principal who has both observed Roots of Empathy in his school and delivered the program as an Instructor. Based on that direct experience, he says plainly that every primary school child should receive Roots of Empathy —he sees the immediate impact during each lesson.

He also models, through his presence and practice, the importance of male nurturance. As a principal who is emotionally engaged and openly caring, he demonstrates how empathy shows up in leadership—shaping school culture and setting a tone that children, staff, and families notice.

 

Care for Newcomer Children (CNC)  Virtual Conference 2025

Mary Gordon delivered the keynote address at the 2025 CNC Virtual Conference, hosted by Care for Newcomer Children Monitoring, Advisory, and Support. Addressing the professionals from across Canada who provide services for immigrant pre-school aged children, she highlighted empathic listening as a vital practice — one that ensures every child is heard with care and without judgment.

 

Roots of Empathy Canada Charitable No. 89643 4818 RR0001. 

Roots of Empathy
250 Dundas St. W., Suite 802 | Toronto, Ontario  M5T 2Z5
416-944-3001 | [email protected]

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