The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
A program with deep local roots is marking a milestone. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Roots of Empathy, which allows children and youth to interact with babies, in the province. When Roots initially launched in Manitoba in 2002-03, only a handful of schools piloted the program. Among them was Ecole McIsaac School, where four classes took part. In time Roots expanded into other grades and two more schools: Ruth Betts Community School and the now-defunct Parkdale School. Province-wide, more than 35,000 students have now participated in the program over the past decade. 'The Roots of Empathy program has been shown to reduce violence and increase positive behaviours in our children by helping them understand the perspective and feelings of others,' Children and Youth Opportunities Minister Kevin Chief said in a news release.
