Compassion Week 2025 - Celebrating 10 years
Compassionate Week 2025
Small Acts. Big Change.
Join us November 10-16 for a week of inspiration, dialogue, collaboration, and hands-on activities connecting hearts across Greater Houston.
One small act. One generous heart. Big impact.
View Full Schedule →A Decade of Compassion in Action
This year marks a special milestone—our 10th anniversary of coming together for a full week of inspiration, knowledge-sharing, dialogue, and hands-on activities. What began as a simple idea has grown into a vibrant tradition, connecting hearts across Greater Houston.
Our 2025 theme: Small Acts. Big Change. highlights how each of us can be a force for good. Our small actions rooted in care and love ripple outward to transform the world, starting right where and how we are.
World Kindness Day - November 13
Compassionate Week coincides with World Kindness Day, a global celebration introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement. This day promotes the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself, and to the world—reminding us that compassion for others is what binds us all together.
What makes Compassionate Week unique:
- Inclusive approach: Programs for all backgrounds, faiths, and communities
- Action-oriented: Not just talks—hands-on activities and service projects
- Locally rooted: Celebrates and strengthens Houston's compassionate culture
- Volunteer-driven: Entirely organized and led by community volunteers
- Accessible: Many free or low-cost programs throughout the week
- Impact-focused: Small acts that create real, lasting change
Complete 2025 Event Schedule
20 heart-centered events by partner organizations inviting you to connect, reflect, and take action. From multicultural dialogues to mindful movement, creative expressions to community service—each offering is a thread in Houston's growing tapestry of compassionate care.
📅 Monday, November 10, 2025
Empathy and Communication in Action: Small Conversations, Big Change
Discover how small conversations rooted in empathy can create meaningful connections and spark significant change in our communities.
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Grounds for Dialogue - Cultivating Understanding Across Divides
Join facilitated conversations designed to bridge divides and build understanding across different perspectives and backgrounds.
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Small Acts, Big Change: Self-Compassion Practices for Everyday Life
Learn practical self-compassion techniques you can integrate into daily life to cultivate inner peace and extend compassion to others.
Register Now →📅 Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Kindness as a Tool for Compassion: Simple Ways to Practice
A brief midday session exploring simple, actionable ways to practice kindness as a pathway to deeper compassion.
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"OH, HONEY..." An Evening of Sweetness for Bitter Times
A nourishing evening gathering offering comfort, connection, and hope during challenging times through music, reflection, and community.
Register Now →📅 Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Heartful Retreat for Restoration (Morning Session)
Begin your day with meditation, mindfulness, and heartfulness practices designed to restore balance and cultivate inner peace.
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Heartful Retreat for Restoration (Evening Session)
Evening session offering meditation and heartfulness practices for restoration. Perfect for those who cannot attend the morning session.
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Cultivating Open Hearts in Times of Crisis
Explore Buddhist teachings and practices for maintaining an open heart and compassionate presence during difficult times.
Register Now →📅 Thursday, November 13, 2025 - World Kindness Day 🌍
Sounds of Compassion
Experience the healing power of music and sound as pathways to compassion and connection. A multi-sensory evening of contemplative music.
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Interfaith Music on the Labyrinth
Walk the sacred labyrinth accompanied by live interfaith music, creating a meditative experience of unity across spiritual traditions.
Register Now →📅 Friday, November 14, 2025
The Ethics of Compassion
A morning workshop exploring the philosophical and practical foundations of ethical compassion in contemporary life.
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Wanderlight Happy Hour: Sacred Sips and Soulful Steps
A unique evening blending mindful movement, meaningful conversation, and community connection over refreshments.
Register Now →📅 Saturday, November 15, 2025
Toys for Tots Collection Drive
Join a community service project collecting toys for children in need. Bring new, unwrapped toys to make a child's holiday brighter.
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In Search of Humanity
An afternoon exploration of what it means to be human in today's world, through dialogue, reflection, and shared experiences.
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From Seeds to Blossoms: Sharing Learnings About Building Compassionate Communities
Learn from community-building experiences and explore practical approaches to nurturing compassionate neighborhoods.
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Listening for Love
An evening of contemplative listening practices that help us hear the deeper love and connection beneath our words.
Register Now →📅 Sunday, November 16, 2025 - Closing Day
A Thousand Hands, A Thousand Eyes
Zen meditation practice exploring the Bodhisattva of Compassion's ability to see and respond to suffering in countless ways.
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Chai and Samosa with Tagore
Discuss Tagore's messages of peace and universalism over Indian chai and samosas, followed by a walk through the serene Tagore Grove Memorial.
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Weaving Connections and Sharing Moments
A communal gathering celebrating the connections we've made during Compassion Week, with shared food and meaningful conversation.
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Being Peace: Introduction to Self-Compassion
Close Compassion Week with a powerful introduction to self-compassion practices, learning to embody peace in everyday life.
Register Now →Featured Initiative: Small Feet, Big Steps Shoe Drive
During Compassion Week, we're highlighting a powerful act of care that embodies our theme: Small Acts. Big Change.
Why Shoes Matter
Vulnerable children often wear shoes that are worn out or ill-fitting—affecting their health, confidence, and ability to attend school. A well-fit pair of shoes can be a step out of poverty and toward a better quality of life.
How to participate:
- Donate a new pair of shoes from the wishlist
- Your donation goes directly to a child in need
- Shoes provide protection, dignity, and a sense of belonging
- Powered by Church World Services, Sole Mission, JustServe, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
About Compassionate Houston
📅 Founded
2011 by Rev. Betty Adam and dedicated team
📍 Service Area
Greater Houston, Texas
⚖️ Legal Status
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
🎯 Mission Focus
Fostering compassion, kindness, and respect
Compassionate Houston is a collaborative network of:
- 30+ partner organizations from all walks of life
- Non-profits and faith communities
- Compassion-focused practice groups
- Like-minded businesses
- Entirely volunteer-driven approach
Core objectives:
- Education: Provide and support educational offerings to enhance compassion skills
- Recognition: Recognize innovative, compassion-focused individual and group projects
- Resources: Foster initiatives that nurture inter-cultural relationships and understanding
- Collaboration: Provide opportunities for partners to network and create synergistic solutions
Year-round programs include:
- Compassionate Week: Annual week-long celebration every November
- Project Kindness: Intergenerational mentoring program pairing seniors with college freshmen
- Compassionate Integrity Training: 10-module course on values-based living
- Seasonal Book Studies: Facilitated reading groups exploring compassion literature
- Compassion Through the Arts: Creative expression and empathy-building initiatives
Inspired by the Charter for Compassion
Compassionate Houston draws inspiration from the Charter for Compassion's principles: treating others with respect, encouraging appreciation of cultural and religious diversity, and cultivating informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings.
