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Roots of Empathy in Alberta |
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Roots of Empathy can teach the world to be more kind and care about other peoples feelings and not to bully people of any sort.”
- Grade 4 student, Pincher Creek, Alberta
Roots of Empathy has flourished in Alberta since it was first introduced, in 2002, in Calgary and southwestern Alberta. To date Roots of Empathy has reached more than 64,000 Alberta children throughout the province.
Over the last nine years, 2,500 babies with the Roots of Empathy program have been the youngest teachers in Alberta's classrooms. A similar number of volunteer parents have learned more about their babies and the key role they play in a child's development. Thousands of Alberta classroom teachers have learned about their students' emotional lives and witnessed first-hand the power of helping children to develop social and emotional literacy.
The Calgary Children’s Initiative of the United Way was integral to getting the program off the ground in the early years. The Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta has also been a sponsor and partner in Alberta from the beginning and continues to provide generous in-kind and financial support. Since 2003, the Government of Alberta, through Alberta Children and Youth Services, has been a major partner in supporting Roots of Empathy. Communities in Alberta are continuing strong financial and in-kind support this year in order to further sustain Roots of Empathy in their local regions. We have also had support in Edmonton from the Telus Corporation and in Calgary from the Calgary Foundation. In addition, in 2010-11, we welcome Cenovus Energy as our Founding Corporate Sponsor in Alberta.
Dozens of agencies in Alberta contribute Instructors, Mentors, or local program coordinators (Key Point People) in order to bring to Roots of Empathy to the children in their communities. Hundreds of non-teaching school board staff have been trained as program instructors. Roots of Empathy's instructor certification is highly valued in education, health, social service, and related fields, and the training provided is a significant capacity building investment in Alberta communities.
In Alberta, the program is delivered in English and French, and in urban, rural, Aboriginal and remote communities. In 2010-11, more than 450 programs are underway in 261 schools in more than 90 communities. Roots of Empathy in Alberta has a long tradition of programs involving Aboriginal children. This year we have launched five programs with First Nations students in the Hobbema area of central Alberta. These are among more than 80 programs in First Nations communities or where a high proportion of the students are Aboriginal.
Roots of Empathy is committed to providing equitable access to its program in the French language. Our programs have been running in French and French immersion classrooms in Alberta since 2005 with a dedicated French curriculum. In Alberta, Roots of Empathy is delivering 23 French language programs across the province; these include 18 programs in French immersion classrooms and five programs in French school boards.
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