Committee for Children celebrates its 40th anniversary by setting a big, hairy, audacious goal

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Jan 16, 2019, 07:00 ET

SEATTLE, Jan. 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Committee for Children (CFC), the global leader in research-based social-emotional learning (SEL) education, is entering its 40th year by setting an ambitious goal for the future: to positively transform the social-emotional well-being of 100 million children annually by 2028. The nonprofit powerhouse believes that if you make a positive impact on enough children through SEL, the ripple can help a family, a school, a community, and ultimately, the world. CFC calls this the Empathy Effect—a concept the organization believes will play a huge role in achieving their admittedly audacious but achievable goal for 2028.

"In 1979, a small but mighty group of researchers, educators, social workers, and volunteers founded CFC to address the needs of children who had been sexually abused. Today we've turned a grassroots effort into a global nonprofit at the forefront of an irrepressible movement, and I couldn't be prouder," Committee for Children's executive director Joan Cole Duffel said. "Our achievements so far are no small feat, but we're just getting started. We're heading into our next decade with our biggest goal yet."

The organization will commemorate its anniversary throughout the next 12 months via public education and activism. To kick things off, CFC is unveiling a revamped history page on their website with new details and landmark moments from their past 40 years of impact. They're also launching a first-of-its-kind, SEL-centric podcast, called Grow Kinder. Debuting at the end of January, the podcast will feature conversations with thought leaders in education, business, tech, and the arts who all have one thing in common: a dedication to growing kinder and helping others do the same. And most importantly, they're extending an invitation to fellow educators, advocates, and partners to work with CFC to promote SEL as one of the most effective approaches to raising kind, competent, and capable adults.

Today, CFC's SEL programs—which include child protection and bullying prevention resources—reach more than 14 million children in 70 countries annually. To grow their reach and keep the Empathy Effect in motion, CFC plans to accelerate their research efforts, amplify their voice in advocacy, and develop deeper partnerships in the field of SEL.

For more information about the Empathy Effect and Committee for Children's 40th anniversary, visit GrowKinder.org.

About Committee for Children
Committee for Children is on a mission to ensure that children everywhere can thrive emotionally, socially, and academically. Best known for our innovative social-emotional learning (SEL) curricula that blend research and rigor with intuitive program design, we empower children and their adults with skills that help them realize their goals in the classroom and throughout their lives. Since 1979, we've been connecting experts in the field to share experiences and advance the cause of educating the whole child. A force in advocacy, we're helping pass policies and legislation that place importance on creating safe and supportive learning environments. Today our social-emotional learning and child safety programs reach more than 14 million children in over 70 countries worldwide. By lifting up children today, we're helping them create a safe and positive society for the future. Learn more at cfchildren.org.

Connect with Committee for Children on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

CONTACT:
Shauna McBride, [email protected], 206-612-8718
Natalie Ceis, [email protected], 206-755-3761

SOURCE Committee for Children