CCARE at Stanford University

Who did your project serve and what suffering did it address?
My project served teachers and eventually students in the early-years cohort of my school. I intended to address the stress among teachers by equipping them to be more skilled at handling students with behavioral issues and special needs.

How did this project address that suffering?
The project addressed this suffering by equipping the teachers to access compassion for themselves and for the students. An integral part of the project was also the role of emotion education (understanding, regulating and co-regulating emotions) in ensuring everyone's wellbeing.

Who was your audience and how many people participated? 
The participation was, on average, 10 participants per workshop session.

What was the reported impact on or feedback from participants?
The reported feedback conveyed that the sessions helped the participants to understand the importance of awareness, self-compassion and taking a pause in order to ensure their own wellbeing and take a better perspective on an existing challenge.

How has the ACT Program helped you become an Ambassador of Compassion? 
The ACT Program has helped me to face things that I perceived as unpleasant or challenging. I am more open to recognizing suffering and willing to sit with it. Through my Capstone Project, I was able to hear the stories of so many people's daily struggles, and each story helped me connect with our common humanity.

What advice would you give to someone who's considering participating in the ACT Program? 
Come with an open heart and a beginner's mind. Bring your whole self, your vulnerabilities, your fears and limitations with humility. And when you start your journey to discover the superpower of compassion, believe that any step taken with the clear intention of reducing the suffering of our fellow beings has the potential to transform you and many things around you for the better. Trust yourself and trust the process.