Ambassadors of Compassion

Ambassadors of Compassion - LIFE and RISE

The Ambassadors of Compassion programs are innovative student-led, adult-guided resiliency building programs that equip students with the skills needed to overcome life’s inevitable challenges. Our data-driven programs provide a safe space for students to address their real-life issues in a positive way. Fostering self-awareness, connection, and hope, and effectively minimizing the out-of-classroom distractions and emotional obstacles that lead to destructive behaviors and prevent learning from occurring. Using 10-sessions of relevant content, multi-media delivery, coach-facilitated peer-to-peer discussions, and guided journaling, this immersive program leads students through the process of releasing unresolved hurt and pain, learning to forgive themselves and others, and overcoming the obstacles and negative experiences that hold them back. These principles are put into action in a peer-to-peer intervention where students empathetically hold each other accountable for making positive life changes. There are two programs, LIFE and RISE. The concepts in the LIFE program of setting goals and working to achieve them (Labor); understanding what influences us and learning from the positive while minimizing the negative (Influence); learning how to identify and release the unresolved hurt and pain in our lives (Forgiveness); and turning negative experiences into positive motivation while building on positive experiences (Experiences) are universal and timeless. The same goes for the RISE principles of exploring the need to take ownership of one’s thoughts and actions to help accomplish one’s goals and dreams in life (Responsibility); understanding that having a plan and taking appropriate action is required to achieve one’s goals academically, athletically, socially, or financially, but also in building strong, healthy relationships and being one’s best self (Initiative); serving others and the needs of the community reinforces learning and self-worth while helping students find meaning and purpose in life by working with others in the service of something bigger than themselves (Service); and examining the power of expectations, learning the difference between realistic and unrealistic expectations, knowing how to manage expectations and deal with one’s emotions when expectations are not met (Expectations). We continually evaluate and update our videos, journals, and discussion questions to make sure we are presenting them in a relevant manner. The real magic in our program happens in the self-reflection of journaling, and the facilitated peer-to-peer interaction around the session topics.