"A Time for Compassion"
Compassion matters.
Compassion isn’t about pity, but equity. And at its best, compassion shouldn’t be about reacting to a crisis, but an everyday truth – from and for all people.
Compassion can empower us to face the future with concern during uncertain and even chaotic times, as we purposefully choose attitudes and actions that exemplify courage, and care for our local and global neighbors.
These are just a few of the reasons we have chosen “A Time for Compassion” as the theme for Mattie’s Peace Foundation during 2025.
Compassion is a critical characteristic of peace, so understanding and practicing compassion matters.
We are already creating new materials for our #Pathways2Peace and Peace Certification programs to support youth and adults and families and communities in exploring compassion.
And we are excited about opportunities to partner with other peace-missioned organizations that are also focusing on compassion this year.
During January, our Board of Directors and some of our Foundation Ambassadors attended the inaugural Compassion Summit in New York City, hosted by the Muhammad Ali Center. Along with other community leaders, entertainers, media icons, and non-profit and business representatives, we celebrated the launch of the Ali Compassion Index and committed to the Compassion Pledge and collaboration as Impact Partners.
The Index is a pioneering research study created by the Ali Center to track compassion in cities across the United States. The “2025 Compassion Report” – a landmark report on findings – reveals “troubling trends.” For example, while compassion-related online searches “have skyrocketed” in recent years – indicating a concern for empathy and understanding, more than 61% of Americans reported feeling a decline in compassion and a concern the future.
Dedicated to continuing the compassionate humanitarian work of their inspiration, the Muhammad Ali Center has invited individuals and organizations that work to cultivate peace to join them as “Impact Partners” – including Mattie’s Peace Foundation.
Mattie’s Foundation President, Dr. Jeni Stepanek (Mama Peace) – who was invited to offer closing remarks on collaboration – encouraged participants to “promote compassion as a trusted truth, rather than compete for compassion as a title on a certificate.”
Throughout 2025, Mattie’s Foundation will be facilitating virtual and in-person conversations and activities that offer tips and tools to help folks learn more about the truth of compassion. From considering differences between empathy and compassion, to realizing interruptions to compassion, to choosing compassion as an attitude and habit (even during tough times) – our mission will be to mentor and support you, so that you can role model and support others.
Many of our programs and resources will be familiar – such as Mama Peace Chats and Mama Peace Posts, Toast2Peace and Heartsongs2Mosaics events, and Peace Certification and Peace Activity Certificate endeavors.
And there also will be opportunities for you to engage with our Partners4Peace – such as #RockvilleRocks (and our new #PeaceRocks and #MeghanRocks activities), and the Muhammad Ali Center (where we are new Impact Partners and amplifying our collective work to cultivate compassion).
Compassion matters. Together, let’s consider compassion, so that we can make compassion our choice – for this and future generations of local and global neighbors.
You can begin your compassion journey by reading and signing the Ali Compassion Pledge (click here…).
Those who sign the Compassion Pledge are invited to share a quote for our “Compassion Matters” reflections (click here…).
You can support our mission and work with a donation to Mattie’s Peace Foundation (click here…).
Mattie's Foundation in New York City:
Compassion, & "Peace-Purpose-Play"
Image at top of page: Devone Holt (Muhammad Ali Center President & CEO), Dr. Jeni Stepanek (Mattie’s Peace Foundation President & Founding Chair), and Lonnie Ali (Muhammad Ali Center Co-Founder & Vice Chair).