Roots of Empathy

February 20, 2008

Janis R. Thomas
Chair
The Funding Network-Toronto
Sent via email to: jrukavin@woodbridge.com

Dear Janis:
Re: Grant # TC06-1010

In accordance with the conditions of the grant of $14,133.24 received on July 19, 2006 from Tides Canada and funded by The Funding Network-Toronto (TFN-TO), Roots of Empathy (ROE) is pleased to report on how the grant was utilized.

Roots of Empathy is an award-winning, evidence-based classroom program that has shown dramatic effect in reducing levels of aggression and violence among school children while raising social/emotional competence and increasing empathy. The heart of the program is the neighbourhood parent and infant who join the ROE Instructor in the classroom for a series of Family Visits. The ROE family demonstrates the parent-child attachment relationship and the baby’s development over the school year.

Your grant was used to provide program materials to 28 classrooms in the 2006-2007 school year. These classrooms are located in the Northern Ontario regions of Algoma, District of Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay and Kenora/Rainy River as well as in the Central Ontario regions of North Bay, Sudbury, Ottawa, Toronto and York. The programs were delivered in schools in High Aboriginal areas that could otherwise not afford or raise the funds to bring the program to their classrooms.

Prior to the funding provided, 28 less classrooms were able to teach kids to care. Classrooms of limited means can now be provided with the materials required for the Roots of Empathy program. The emotional literacy taught in the program lays the foundation for more caring classrooms. When children understand how others feel, they are less likely to hurt each other through bullying, exclusion and violence. In the Roots of Empathy program, children learn how to challenge cruelty and injustice. Messages of social inclusion and consensus building activities contribute to a culture of caring with a profound effect on the tone of the classroom. Research results from national evaluations of Roots of Empathy indicate significant reductions in aggression and increases in pro-social behavior.

Impact of Your Gift

The costs associated with the classroom materials totaled $14,500. The breakdown was as follows:

28 sets of Classroom Materials: $14,000.00

  • Curriculum & Training Manuals
  • Art/Writing Materials for each child
  • Storybooks, infant toys, handout materials
  • Blanket, Infant Roll, Carry Bag
  • Baby T-Shirt
  • Baby Book
  • Photo Album (film, developing)

Shipping and Distribution Costs 500.00
TOTAL $14,500.00

Thanks to your strong financial support, ROE was able to move forward with bringing the Roots of Empathy experience to schools and regions in both Northern and Central Ontario.

Since the introduction of the program in these communities, we have seen a marked improvement in the commitment of schools and parents to the ROE program. We are proud to state that the following 26 schools with High Aboriginal populations had the Roots of Empathy program in 28 classrooms thanks to your funding:

REGION / COMMUNITY

Algoma

  • Blind River - St. Mary’s Elementary
  • Blind River - Blind River Public School
  • Blind River - Ecole Saint Joseph
  • Sault Ste Marie - St. Hubert Elementary
  • Sault Ste Marie - St. Mark Elementary
  • Spanish - Spanish Public School

District of Thunder Bay

  • Armstrong - Armstrong Public School

Kenora/Rainy River

  • Devlin - Crossroads School
  • Fort Frances - J.W. Walker School
  • Hudson - Hudson Public School
  • Keewatin - St. Louis School
  • Mine Centre - Mine Centre Public School
  • Sioux Lookout - Sioux Mountain Public School
  • Stratton - Our Lady of the Way School

Thunder Bay

  • Thunder Bay - Agnew H. Johnston Public School
  • Thunder Bay - Algonquin Avenue Public School
  • Thunder Bay - Ogden Community School
  • Thunder Bay St. Vincent Elementary

North Bay

  • North Bay - Marshall Park Elementary

Sudbury

  • Gore Bay - Charles C. McLean Public School
  • Little Current - Little Current Public School
  • Mindemoya - Central Manitoulin Public School
  • Manitowaning - Assiginack Public School

Ottawa

  • Ottawa - Manor Park Public School

Toronto

  • Toronto - Dundas Junior Public School

York

  • Sutton West - Georgina Island Building

In closing, let me express how much we value our relationship with The Funding Network-Toronto. We look forward to working together again in the future.

Yours sincerely,

Christopher Sarson
Chief Operating Officer
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