What We Do

LivingKind offers PreK–12 education programs, teacher training, youth-led clubs, and curricula that inspire empathy and drive positive action for animals, people, and the environment.


Our Programs

  • Youth Changemaker Clubs

    Youth Changemaker Clubs

    Youth Changemaker Clubs (YCCs) are dynamic, youth-led clubs designed to prepare young people to become active, engaged leaders. Our clubs foster curiosity, social responsibility, and community service, encouraging students to identify issues affecting people, animals, or the planet, and then develop and execute creative solutions. YCCs are led by host organizations and are free to join.

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  • Compassionate Communities

    Compassionate Communities

    The Compassionate Communities Awards program takes a school-wide approach to integrating changemaking. Students create action plans and organize service-learning projects that foster a community of kindness, stewardship, and respect. Schools earn cash prizes awarded to projects that positively impact people, animals, and the environment within and beyond the school community.

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  • In-School & After-School Programs

    In-School & After-School Programs

    Our educators work directly with K-12 students in schools, youth organizations, and summer camps to cultivate compassion and teach about animal protection, social justice, and environmental preservation. LivingKind’s instructors have directly taught over 50,000 students nationwide.

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  • Resource Library

    Resource Library

    We have developed an extensive portfolio of teaching tools for diverse educational settings. These resources include more than 200 lesson plans and activities for educators to seamlessly incorporate into their classroom curricula. LivingKind’s free resources are distributed through a variety of digital channels and teaching platforms. Become a member to access the resources today!

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  • Teacher Training

    Teacher Training

    LivingKind has trained thousands of educators through engaging workshops and presentations that promote compassion in classrooms and communities. We offer unique professional development pathways, including the Certified Humane Education Specialist (CHES) program and diverse learning opportunities delivered through online and in-person instruction.

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  • Advocacy

    Advocacy

    LivingKind works in New York and nationwide to increase compliance with existing SEL, humane, and character education laws. We support advocacy efforts across the United States to pass new and enhanced humane education mandates at the local and state levels.

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Our Impact

  • Check out LivingKind’s 2025 Impact Report here!

  • A Fordham University study provides empirical evidence that our 10-lesson curriculum significantly increases student empathy and knowledge regarding animals, people, and the environment. Participants demonstrated a measurable shift toward altruistic behavior and a heightened commitment to addressing social and ecological issues. Click here to learn more.

  • Our classroom-based humane education program significantly increased students’ compassion and prosocial behaviors, demonstrating that teaching empathy for animals, people, and the environment can translate into meaningful positive action. This finding comes from a peer-reviewed, randomized controlled study published in the academic journal Anthrozoös. Read the full article here or a summary here.

  • City University of New York Research found that our Humane Living summer camp significantly improved the quality and sophistication of students' problem-solving skills regarding animal welfare and social issues. The study highlights that participants developed more feasible, effective, and mature strategies for helping companion animals, farm animals, and their fellow youth. Read more here.

  • LivingKind was instrumental in drafting and securing support for legislation in New York City and New York State to strengthen enforcement of the humane education mandate in schools.

  • Our team administered Hello Insight pre- and post-surveys to students across most program sites. The results have been both affirming and insightful: 100% of students reported overall program satisfaction; 100% showed growth in at least one SEL capacity; 71% demonstrated improvement in two or more SEL areas.

  • More than 36,000 students in 60+ New York and Chicago schools have participated in the first six years of our Compassionate Communities Awards program.

  • In a post-camp survey, 100% of respondents reported that they saw a great impact in their camper's awareness, behavior, and/or attitudes related to the environment, animals, and/or social issues as a result of Beginner’s Camp.

  • LivingKind’s resources have been downloaded more than 30,000 times and received a perfect 4/4 rating from educators on the popular Teachers Pay Teachers portal. 

  • "The Caring Kids program opened my eyes to problems happening in the world and ways in which we can all help to make a difference."

    — Liam, age 12

  • "I love this club because our lead really listens to us and we are learning so many ways to make the world better."

    — YCC Member

  • "I realized that I feel good after I show compassion!"

    — Amelia, grade 5

  • “I have changed my thoughts and feelings about chickens! I really felt bad for them and thought about how I can help.”

    — Anthony, grade 5

  • “You taught me how to be kind. My family thinks I have changed ever since you have come.”

    — Ava, grade 4

  • “I hope you teach this to everyone in the world!”

    — Kayden, grade 5

  • "I have changed my mind about animals because I learned not to call them IT. I also learned that even if you can’t help everyone or every animal, you can still help some of them."

    — Grace, grade 5

  • “I love that you are part of a kindness organization. I hope one day I can be part of a kindness organization.”

    — Amiyah, grade 4

Help us continue to change the lives of young people and their communities with our programs. Please give today.

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