For more than 25 years Roots of Empathy has been impacting the lives of Niagara students from Kindergarten to Grade Eight, through visits from "Tiny Teachers". The District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) and Niagara Catholic District School Board (Niagara Catholic) came together on June 22, 2026, at the DSBN Board Office to celebrate the work of the DSBN Youth Counsellors and Niagara Catholic Child and Youth Workers who have dedicated time during the school year to facilitate the Roots of Empathy Program. This valuable program promotes empathy and emotional literacy in children at school through classroom visits from a local family and baby - known as the "Tiny Teacher" - and guided by a Roots of Empathy Instructor.
The event was captured on film by Jim Couroux - Videographer, Editor, and Composer. Please click here to enjoy the event.

Service groups in Thorold, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and Welland renew commitment to fund lease for van used by organization’s staff to bring resources to educators.
Click here for article from Thorold Today.

The Early Childhood Community Development Centre was honoured to be named the recipient of the 2026 Excellence in Business Award - Not for Profit. 

Thank you to our community partners for supporting our nomination, and to the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, for recognizing the businesses that help make Niagara a vibrant place to live, work, and grow. We are also deeply grateful to our primary funder, Niagara Region Children's Services. It is a privelege to contribute to the important work being done by Niagara's early learning professionals in support of our youngest citizens and their families. 

The Kiwanis Clubs of Niagara have renewed a second financial commitment to the Early Childhood Community Development Centre (ECCDC) for four years to subsidize the cost of a community outreach van. The ECCDC is so grateful to receive this second financial commitment to be able to continue offering a delivery service to increase Educators’ access to play-based materials, equipment, and mentoring supports. The new four-year financial commitment brings the total investment of the Kiwanis Clubs donation to over $70,000.
Click here for full Media Release.

For more than 25 years Roots of Empathy has been impacting the lives of Niagara students from Kindergarten to Grade Eight, through visits from “Tiny Teachers”.

The District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) and Niagara Catholic District School Board (Niagara Catholic) came together on May 22, 2026, at the DSBN Board Office to celebrate the work of the DSBN Youth Counsellors and Niagara Catholic Child and Youth Workers who have dedicated time during the school year to facilitate the Roots of Empathy Program. This valuable program promotes empathy and emotional literacy in children at school through classroom visits from a local family and baby - known as the “Tiny Teacher” - and guided by a Roots of Empathy Instructor.
Click here for full post-event Media Release.

Roots of Empathy celebrates 25 years of bringing babies to Niagara elementary school classrooms to help school kids reduce aggressive behaviour and witness developmental milestones.
Click here for article from St. Catharines Standard.

A group of babies, also known as Tiny Teachers, who are only marking their first birthdays are being celebrated as classroom heroes on May 22nd at the District School Board of Niagara Education Centre Atrium, 191 Carlton Street, St. Catharines, for their contribution in helping children develop empathy over a school year. These babies, alongside their loving parents and with the guidance of a Roots of Empathy Instructor, nurture emotional literacy and social competence in children, lasting skills that help children make friends and improve their mental health.

The internationally recognized and award-winning Roots of Empathy Program developed by social entrepreneur, educator, and author Mary Gordon, has been offered within Niagara’s classrooms since 2001. Twenty-seven (27) classrooms are participating this year within District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) and Niagara Catholic District School Board, impacting over 600 students. Research shows the Roots of Empathy program helps children understand and express feelings, reduce aggression and bullying, increase empathy and prosocial behaviours that foster inclusion and respect for others, and deepen their understanding of infant development and safety - all important for mental health, future parenting and responsible citizenship.
Click here for full media release.

Thorold Kiwanis Club is supporting three charities: TCAG, Community Care of St.Catharines and Thorold, and the Early Childhood Community Development Centre. On Schmon Parkway, ECCDC leases a community outreach van to deliver resources to early learning and child-care programs throughout the region.The Kiwanis club’s nearly $2,000-a-year contribution went toward the organization’s new four-year lease for the van, which is also supported by the St.Catharines, Niagara Falls Stamford and Welland clubs. Kelly Bol, an early learning training and events consultant with ECCDC, said thevan has made nearly 1,000 deliveries since obtained four years ago.
Click here for full article from Niagara Lifestyle.

As a key point agency for Roots of Empathy, the ECCDC is the local coordinator of the Roots of Empathy program, and is the key contact working directly with the Roots of Empathy Provincial Staff, Mentors, Instructors and with DSBN and NCDSB School Board Representatives. In this key role ECCDC coordinate’s the annual program start-up and implementation, recruits new Instructors and supports them throughout the training process, oversees regular program maintenance, and coordinates year end wrap up activities inclusive of the annual Baby Celebration. ECCDC is grateful to our partners at both the District School Board of Niagara and Niagara Catholic District School Board in bringing Roots of Empathy to classrooms across the Niagara Region for the past 25 years!
Click here for video on Cogeco YourTV.

Each year the Early Childhood Community Development Centre (ECCDC) in Niagara Region holds its annual Niagara Early Learning and Child Care Appreciation and Recognition Gala to honour and celebrate the “exemplary achievements and outstanding contributions made by early childhood educators, administrators, volunteers and other valuable staff working within Niagara’s early learning and child care programs.” Recognition presentations are offered in a wide variety of categories, celebrating individuals and teams for achievements in leadership, volunteerism, professionalism, inclusion and commitment to ongoing learning, among other things.
Click here for full article from the Ontario College of ECE.