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News

Baby Celebration and 'Faces of Tomorrow' Book Launch a Success

Jun. 20, 2009: A group of Seeds of Empathy (SOE) babies were celebrated for their teaching contributions in some Edmonton childcare centres at the first ever SOE Baby Celebration, held on June 19, 2009. The celebration marked the end of the second year of a three-year pilot that saw the program delivered to 36 early childhood centres across the province of Alberta.

Mary Gordon, Creator of Seeds of Empathy, at the baby celebration with some of the program's tiny "teachers" and parents.

The baby celebration coincided with the launch of a new children's board book, Faces of Tomorrow, by Mary Gordon, best-selling author, Founder/President of Roots of Empathy and creator of SOE. Ms. Gordon presented the book and its dedication to the Honourable Iris Evans, Minister of Finance and Enterprise, in recognition of her informed leadership and unfailing support in improving the circumstances of Alberta children.

The book will be gifted to volunteer families involved with the program. It will also be placed in the SOE centres in support of the early literacy development of immigrant children, which is one of the key aims of the program along with fostering social and emotional competencies.

"We begin with love," Mary Gordon states in the book, "Love is the cement of the future that connects us all in a universal chain of possibility. The birth of each baby is the birth of hope. Through loving parenting babies develop empathy. This ability to understand how others feel is a prerequisite for conflict resolution, altruism, and a peaceful tomorrow."

The Honourable Iris Evans is presented with a framed copy of Faces of Tomorrow, while Mary Gordon reads aloud the dedication from the book.

Fourty-Eight New Centres Trained

Nov. 1, 2009: Twenty-four childcare centres in Alberta and 24 in British Columbia (including 11 Aboriginal centres) have received training to deliver Seeds of Empathy (SOE) in the 2008-9 program year. In regional trainings held across the two provinces from mid-September to early November, approximately 200 Early Childhood Educators learned about SOE values, curriculum and implementation of the program.

Seeds of Empathy had its first Aboriginal-specific training in Richmond, BC. Visitors included the Honourable Linda Reid, Minister of State for Child Care and Lyle Viereck, Director, Aboriginal Relations & Negotiations, BC Hydro (pictured at left with Baby Malena). SOE has been funded through the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). BC Hydro is our newest partner in supporting Seeds of Empathy and Roots of Empathy in Aboriginal communities.

Assembly of First Nations (AFN) endorses Seeds of Empathy

Jul. 18, 2008: Seeds of Empathy (SOE) is proud to report that the Assembly of First Nations, the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada, has recently passed a resolution to support and endorse both Seeds of Empathy and Roots of Empathy, SOE's older sibling.

On July 17, 2008, at the invitation of National Chief Phil Fontaine, SOE Founder and President Mary Gordon spoke to chiefs at the AFN's 29th Annual General Assembly in Quebec City. The Assembly then passed the resolution, calling both programs "compatible with traditional First Nations teachings and worldviews" because they address aggression and foster empathy and social and emotional competence.

From left to right: Monique Gray Smith, SOE Aboriginal Advisor, National Chief Phil Fontaine and Mary Gordon, Creator of SOE

Seeds of Empathy launches in BC and Alberta

Jan. 15, 2008: Seeds of Empathy programs in Canada's two westernmost provinces celebrated official launches recently. The launches brought government funders, and child care staff together with program creator Mary Gordon to mark this special event. Both events drew media attention in their provinces.

In British Columbia, the launch was held at the Treehouse Early Learning Centre in Richmond. Minister of State for Child Care Linda Reid joined Mary Gordon for the event in December 2007. Read the media release about the BC launch here.

In Alberta, the program was launched in both Edmonton and Calgary in January 2008, drawing media attention from local newspapers and regional radio and television. The Honourable Iris Evans, then Minister of Employment, Immigration and Industry, joined Mary Gordon at the event. In Edmonton, the launch was held at the Norwood Child and Family Centre. In Calgary, Mount Royal College Child Care Centre hosted the event. Click here to read the Alberta government's media release about the event.

SEEDS OF EMPATHY LAUNCHED IN ALBERTA	SEEDS OF EMPATHY LAUNCHED IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
Children greet Seeds of Empathy mom Amanda Bates and baby Lucas at the launch of Seeds of Empathy in Calgary. Mary Gordon and then-Minister of Employment, Immigration and Industry Iris Evans joined baby Lucas on the lavender blanket at the launch. The Ministry of Employment, Immigration and Industry is funding the program in Alberta.	Minister of State for Child Care Linda Reid joined Mary Gordon and a group of child care educators to officially launch Seeds of Empathy in Richmond. She is pictured holding Seeds of Empathy baby Carmina. The Ministry of Children and Family Development is funding the program in BC.