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Compassion is demonstrated by heroes from across the globe in these featured films, art and stories. Caring, giving, and reaching across divides to make life better for someone else is at the core of the character trait of compassion. Meet remarkable heroes through these films, art and stories, and create a dialogue with your students on the importance of practicing more compassion in our daily lives.

Compassion
Credit: MY HERO

Watch Down the Road: This film is appropriate for upper elementary and older students.

What would you do if you saw a wildfire destroy 95% of a town? How would you help the survivors whose homes burned to the ground? For Woody Faircloth in Denver, the answer seemed simple: provide them with an RV. And upon witnessing the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California, he and his six-year- old daughter Luna did just that. Without hesitation, they drove across the country to donate an RV to a family who lost everything to the inferno. But when they arrived, the two quickly realized they couldn't stop there. 

Down the Road [excerpt]

By: Care Dorghalli
Woody and Luna generously help people in need after the Paradise fire.

Resources on Compassion for HIGH SCHOOL students

Films

The heroes featured in these short films understand the healing power of compassion and they practice this through their actions.

Power of Compassion & Importance of the Work of CCARE

CCARE at Stanford University
Dr. James Doty, speaks on the power of compassion and importance of the work of CCARE

A Moment of Compassion

Brenda Goodman
On the border of Mexico and the USA, Tijuana Native , Dr. Patricia Gonzalez-Zuniga and her team of American and Mexican interns and residents provide care and compassion for anyone in need with their street clinic THE WOUND CLINIC.

Never Give Up - The Heart of Compassion (Trailer)

Produced by:James Gritz/Fernanda Rivero
The documentary, “Never Give Up - The Heart of Compassion” explores the teachings of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa and three women inspired by Karmapa to put compassion into action.

Vital Voices: Hawa Abdi

Produced by:Aaron Kisner
Dr. Hawa Abdi is Somalia's first female gynecologist. When the central government collapsed in 1989, Dr. Abdi's one-room clinic on her family farm began treating and housing local people fleeing the fighting.

This short film linked below, What if..., celebrates an the Illumination Foundation, who practices compassion to people in their greatest need.

What if...

Produced by:Terry Campbell, Paul Leon, Noah Berlow, Rose Wolfrum, Amelia Iacobel...
This short documentary film shatters the preconceptions of homelessness, explores the ramifications of unstable housing for children, and provides a solution.

Stories

Rachel Gemara: Nursing COVID-19 Patients in Israel

By: Ruth Ebenstein
Rachel Gemara is an oncology nurse in Jerusalem who treated patients with COVID-19 at a popup unit at Shaare Zedek Medical Center.

Jon Rose

By: David Kelly
Jon Rose founded Waves for Water, which works on the front-line to provide clean water.

Dalai Lama

By: Jeff Trussell
Dalai Lama is the religious leader of Tibet and an emblem of Tibet's hopes for freedom.

Dr. Hawa Abdi - The Mother of Hope Village

By: Nicole
Dr. Hawa Abdi, Somalia's first female gynecologist, turned her family's land into a hospital, school and nutrition center focused on women and children.

Dr. James Doty

By: Wendy Jewell
James Doty, M.D., FACS, FICS is a professor of neurosurgery at Stanford University and founder and director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver

By: Kathy Crockett
Eunice Kennedy Shriver dedicated her life to raising awareness and creating opportunities for the intellectually disabled.

Irena Sendler

By: Hannah Kaas

A World War II Hero who smuggled over 2000 children out of the Warsaw Ghetto and worked to reunite them with their families whilst providing shelter for them.

Resources on Compassion for Middle School students

Films

Laguna Beach Police Anti-Bullying Campaign Featuring Tony Hawk

Produced by:LBPD Social Media Team
Laguna Beach PD's Anti-Bullying Campaign featuring Tony Hawk and Captain Jeff Calvert.

Kiki Vo

By: Rebecca Miller
Kiki Vo suffered terrible burns and experienced bullying in school but has accomplished so much and forgiven so many.

DODGED

Produced by:Maya Götz
A compelling anti-bullying story from Thailand.

Stories

Helen Keller

By: Estella R

An American author and political activist who followed a unique path to success due to her disabilities.

Saint Francis of Assisi

By: Claudia Herrera Hudson
Saint Francis of Assisi was a true example of harmonious existence on Earth.

Bill Gates

By: Morgan Antico
Bill Gates is the founder of Microsoft and the co-founder of the charity the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Mattie Stepanek

By: Jim Hawkins
Mattie Stepanek is a hero to people of all ages around the world.

Art

Who Is Your Neighbor?

By: Charles Harper
Spiritual Lesson: Kindness to all, is a universal virtue promoted by all faiths.

Resources on Compassion for Elementary School students

Films

Mig Said Series: Lets be Friends

Produced by:Mig Jou
Sometimes we all find friends in unlikely places.

Mattie Stepanek

Produced by:Nathan Smith
A short animated tribute to poet hero Mattie Stepanek. The soundtrack features the St. Paul's Episcopal Day School choir singing a song inspired by one of Mattie's poems.

The Buddy Club

Produced by:Jackie McMahon
Finding friends for friends in need.

The Chameleon's True Colors

Produced by:Carolyn Downie
A colorful chameleon learns to be himself in a fun song that celebrates diversity, individuality and friendship.

Stories

Mother Teresa

By: Valerie

Mother Teresa dedicated her life to caring for the poor in the slums of Calcutta and was recognised for her work with many awards and by the Catholic Church. 

My Son, Mattie J. T. Stepanek

By: Jeni Stepanek
Jeni Stepanek shares with us how her son Mattie was her hero.

Art

Dalai Lama

By: Davis Pollino

A symbol of unification of the state of Tibet; he represents and upholds Buddhist values and traditions and is seen as the foremost spiritual leader of the Gelug.

Dalai Lama by Jim McNalis from USA

By: jim mcnalis
The spiritual leader is portrayed as a very likable and human being in a terra cotta sculpture

Mother Teresa- My Hero

By: ANANYA

The MY HERO Character Series

Resources for Character Education

By: Becky Miller

The MY HERO Character Series: Resources on Compassion, Courage, Kindness, Perseverance, Forgiveness and Social Justice.


We honor those who are caring, giving, and reaching across divides to make life better for someone else is at the core of the character trait of compassion. Please share your story about a hero you know who shows the power of compassion. 

Sign the MY HERO guestbook and share your story.

Link to the MY HERO Guestbook
Credit: MY HERO

Organizer created on 8/2/2019 6:27:09 PM by MY HERO Staff

Last edited 6/4/2024 2:15:46 PM by Laura Nietzer

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