Communities around the country are struggling with political polarization, civil discord, racialized violence, as well as the impacts of a global pandemic. In May 2022, the tragic school shooting at a rural elementary school in Uvalde, TX, shook the nation.

One week later, the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) annual meeting took place. Both the hallway conversations between city leaders at the conference and the community discussions across the nation sowed the seeds of a national compassion campaign.

As Chair of the USCM’s Mayors and Business Leaders Center for Compassionate and Equitable Cities, Mayor Nirenberg returned to San Antonio following the national meeting inspired and resolute– asking how his Compassionate City could help be the change needed in our country. Over the next few weeks, deep conversations with civic leaders and community members transpired. The conversation turned into action, and a committed partnership emerged between the City of San Antonio, the Alamo Colleges District, and the San Antonio Peace Center.

One year later, CompassionateUSA launched nationally at the June 2023 Annual Meeting of the U. S. Conference of Mayors. Just as Compassion is a proposition of sharing, the Alamo Colleges District, the San Antonio Peace Center, and the City of San Antonio collaborated on the freely gifted CompassionateUSA to every city, town, and territory across the United States.

Today, there are nearing 300 communities and cities across the United States that recognize the ancient wisdom of Compassion being in our human DNA, based on neuroscientific research and the global efforts of the International Charter for Compassion. Many cities are becoming Compassionate USA Partners. These efforts are based on the Ethic of Reciprocity (aka. the Golden Rule) and systemic change from within the family to government, from education to business, and from the smallest to the largest of systems in bringing prevention, intervention, transformation, and healing to our society.

To create a compassionate-centered country and world, the U.S. needs Us! Together, We are stronger. Together, We are better. And together, We can change the world. You are invited to join in this people-centered movement to promote greater compassion and strengthen the bonds of our shared humanity. Together, We can learn the skills, share the message, create compassion in action plans, and transform our communities.

Whatever the capacity in being a part of this campaign of learning, Compassion is the foundation to all human interactions and healing, the foundation to public service, and our day to day decision making. Let’s be engaged and stay engaged. Let’s believe together in a tipping point for Compassion in Our World!