The Roots of Compassion and Kindness (ROCK)
ROCK promotes compassion, kindness, and empathy through education, action, and research. Launched in 2020, our instructors teach FGCU students about compassion, using the best insights from psychologists, philosophers, neuroscientists, and scholars from many disciplines. Students then apply what they have learned by going into local classrooms to share what they know through interactive activities: painting rocks, planting gardens, journaling, role playing, engaging in readers' theater, leading guided discussions, and spreading goodwill. Our program fosters positive academic and behavioral outcomes through strategies of empathy and engagement.
Check Out Our Rock Garden Fall 2023 newsletter.
We are currently partnering with 14 schools in Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties, including San Carlos Park Elementary, Cypress Palm Middle School, Bonita Springs Charter, St. Andrew, St. Francis, Babcock Neighborhood Schools, East Naples Middle, Oak Ridge Middle, Golden Gate Middle (with Grace Place), Franklin Park Elementary, Colonial Elementary, Ft. Myers Middle School Academy, and the Little Eagles Childcare Center on campus and the Quality Life Center afterschool program.
Read more about our program in our ROCK brochure, listen to our Director Dr. Roca and faculty talk about ROCK, its origins, and its high-impact practices in this video, and read testimonials from teachers, principals, and counselors at our partner schools.
See photos from our recent YAK Festival
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