ROCK Center

The Roots of Compassion and Kindness (ROCK) Center

The ROCK Center promotes compassion, kindness, and empathy through education, action, and research. Launched in 2020, our instructors teach FGCU students about compassion, using the best insights from multiple disciplines. Students then apply what they have learned by going into local classrooms to share these values through interactive activities: painting rocks, planting gardens, journaling, role playing, engaging in readers' theater, leading guided discussions, and spreading goodwill.

In addition to partnering with schools, the ROCK Center can work with parent groups, community organizations, local businesses, healthcare providers, and law enforcement officials to help develop and provide:

Community workshops
Compassionate listening sessions
Mindfulness
Professional development and leadership skills

The ROCK Center empowers all participants to drive change within themselves and, in turn, make a positive change in their local and global communities.

In the 2023-2024 academic year, the ROCK Center partnered with 17 local schools and after-school programs: Babcock Neighborhood School, Bonita Springs Charter School Colonial Elementary, Cypress Palm Middle, East Naples Middle School, Ft. Myers Middle School, Franklin Park Elementary, Golden Gate Middle School (with Grace Place’s afterschool program), Laurel Oak Elementary, Little Eagles Childcare Center at FGCU, Oakridge Middle School, Pine Ridge Middle School, Quality Life Center afterschool program, San Carlos Park, St. Andrew Catholic School, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, and Tice Elementary School.