Will you support our Make a Difference Fundraiser Campaign?

We are excited to kick-start our Make a Difference Fundraising Campaign in concert with October 26, Make A Difference Day - a day that encourages all of us to step up, take action, and positively impact our communities. There is considerable scientific evidence that we benefit when we do this: By changing the world around us, we change ourselves.

Will you help us continue to make a difference? Your GIFT 2024 means the world to us! On our GIFT 2024 page, we have highlighted five (5) programs where your financial support and engagement can Make A Difference and spark change.

How can you help?

• Donate to our campaign and make a difference!

• Share our website with others to raise awareness!

• Sign up for our newsletter to be reminded or

• Forward our newsletters to those who also want to Make a Difference!

Every dollar raised will go towards initiatives that uplift and empower each and everyone of us! Let’s come together and show that compassion truly sparks change! Thank you for your support!

Mark your calendars for November 13th, World Kindness Day, for a special showing of the documentary film The Spirit of Ubuntu (I Am Because We Are)! Following the screening, everyone is invited to a musical performance by film producer and reggae legend Pato Banton and world-renowned keyboard player Antoinette Rootsdawtah.

Details and registration for this network-wide Compassion Week event, co-sponsored by Compassionate Houston, Gethsemane Church, a ministry of St Luke's UMC, The Garden, Connect Community, and The Alta Arts, are now live!

Introducing the final lineup of 15 programs to promote compassion, understanding, and inclusivity within our community. We offer a variety of workshops on practices that can help you cultivate a greater degree of inner calm, kindness, and self-compassion, which are essential for healthy interactions with others.

Whether you want to learn, engage, dance (yes, we will), plant sunflowers, or simply connect with others, there's something for everyone. Check out the flyer for all the details, and mark your calendars for this impactful week.

Registration is required for most in-person, virtual, and hybrid programs. Plan your attendance ahead of time to ensure you don't miss out. (**Note: two of our partners are still working on their registration links. Let's practice patience together**).

We hope to see you at many of the various offerings. Together, we can create a welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong!

Meditate & Connect with Marci

You are invited to a monthly 30-minute lunchtime program series with our partner, Marci Sharif. Use part of your lunch hour to get centered, meditate, and connect over a specific topic related to wellness each month. The program is online via Zoom and free to attend.

• If you previously submitted a registration form for Marci’s monthly program, there is no need to register again. We will email you a Zoom link the morning of the event.

December Circle with Marci:

Date: Tuesday, December 10, 12-12:30 PM. Topic: “The Present You Give Yourself" Registration closes at 8:00 PM CT on Monday, December 9 at 8:00 PM.

** There will be No November circle **

Instead, Marci will offer a one-hour virtual program as part of Compassion Week on 11/12 at noon. If you like to join, please register > HERE.

Two-thirds of us admit to experiencing holiday distress, whether from too much to do, financial or family stress, loneliness, etc. Join a supported and supportive gathering to recenter and tune into the peace and light within.

“Empathy Unveiled” Exhibition at the Jung Center 

What an incredible evening at the **Empathy Unveiled** art exhibition at The Jung Center of Houston, Texas! A heartfelt celebration of creativity and compassion, drawing over 70 attendees who came to immerse themselves in the artists' visions.

We were honored to have three talented artists present, Anne-Bénédicte Houang, Kill Joy, and Victor Ancheta, sharing insights into their work and engaging in meaningful conversations with our guests. Their live presentations brought the art to life, showcasing the power of empathy in every piece.

Thank you to everyone who joined and supported us in this beautiful celebration of art and connection. The exhibit is open to the public until November 14.

Welcome New Board Member, Marlin Murdock! Meet Marlin, who is a retired public school administrator and human resources professional. His roles as a board and program committee member, and volunteer in the area of housing and human services for many nonprofit organizations in the Greater Houston area speaks volume about his leadership and capabilities. After retiring, he became a certified End of Life/Death Doula and has led over 25 community book studies since 2020 while volunteering with several Houston organizations.

Welcome New Partner, Blackwood Educational Land Institute, an educational non-profit established in 2000 by Cath Colon, on a mission to model regenerative agriculture. Since its founding, Blackwood has worked toward this mission and a passion for bringing people all ages together through programs like field trips, workshops, retreats, camps at its flagship 33-acre working, organic farm in Hempstead, TX, reaching thousands of Texans a year. In addition to its Landfarm, Blackwood operates Skyfarm at POST Houston, a 1-acre rooftop food farm in the heart of Houston.

Our heartfelt appreciation to all the individuals and organizations who contributed to the success of our 2024 fundraiser luncheon.

Here’s a special thank you to our incredible team of volunteers. Their tireless efforts and countless hours spent working behind the scenes, both in the weeks leading up to the luncheon and on the day itself, were truly inspiring, and we are incredibly grateful for their selfless contributions.

Revisit memorable moments of the event and enjoy a selection of luncheon photos and thank you notes > here.

Compassion Week came to a close last Sunday, Nov 19. It was an amazing week filled with warmth, joy, connections, and hope, all in the spirit of this year's theme: The Nurtured Community: Well-Being Through Connecting. 19 remarkable events from network partners and compassionate artists attracted over 500 attendants!

Enjoy a selection of photos from our “Houston has heART” events, courtesy of our photographer Laura Burlton (with the exception of two poet images). Click on the button below.

We are filled with deep gratitude for the many who joined Compassion Week this year. Head over to our CW reflection page with a beautiful statement by board president Pam Lewis, PhD.

What a pleasure it was to honor a phenomenal group of artists and experience the power of storytelling by Houston's refugees and volunteers, all joined in supporting the spread of compassion in our community. 

We put together a comprehensive review on "Houston's Culture of Compassion" event, an appreciation for all involved and in attendance with photos, testimonials, artist awards, downloadable artists posters, and more. 

Thank you for celebrating the transformative power of compassion with us.

Sign the Charter for Compassion

Throughout the year, we are launching programs, opportunities, and service projects that address Compassionate Houston’s main objectives. We want to connect most effectively with you and your needs. Please fill out our survey by clicking on the button “Individual Survey.”