Compassion Works For All, Inc.

Description of Organization

In 2005, Compassion Works for All incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that reaches several thousand people in prisons and in the free world, offering practical help, psychological grounding and the comfort of human connection. Compassion Works for All offers healing and hope by living and teaching compassion, especially to the disenfranchised and people in prison.

The organization produces and distributes a bimonthly newsletter sent free of charge to people in prison in all fifty states.  Staff and volunteers lead ecumenical meditation sessions in carceral systems called “Dharma Talks,” which includes state prisons, federal prison,  jail systems, and the Federal Public Defender Office of Arkansas. Additionally, staff leads a 9-week conflict resolution course called Compassionate Communication at various facilities in Arkansas. Compassionate Communication integrates principles of nonviolent communication, ancient wisdom teachings, and contemplative practice into the curriculum. They offer the program at the Maximum-Security Prison in Tucker, Arkansas on an ongoing basis and are leading a section at the Hawkins Women’s Unit. Each section enrolls participants in an intensive program to improve effective communication skills for job training, personal transformation and relational development. This course offers an evidence-driven model to cope with stress, reduce violence, and increase personal connection. Coursework includes meditation, reading assignments, homework, in-class role play, journaling and seminar-style discussion.