The growing number of U.S. kids who don't know how to empathize has driven an after-school charity club to spring into action. Every afternoon, instead of going home, students can spend their time at the charity club premises to perform activities that will help them understand the importance of empathy.
Elmwood Elementary School's Charity Club was organized by Marion Ruthig. He also started "I Support Community" organization in Naperville in 2012.
Chicago Tribune reported that one of the members of the charity club, Sean Dalton, 9, would proceed to the club after school hours ended. He said, "We come here because we make stuff. We do stuff. We learn about people in need and we want to help them."
There are about 15 more students who have joined the club. According to the boy, "It's all about giving to people who don't have things."
The Charity Club at Elmwood Elementary School is not the only one involved in charity work and in inculcating a sense of empathy in students. There are six elementary schools that have such clubs with approximately 235 students participating on the overall. Ruthig said that more schools are expected to participate soon.
As a mom, what motivated Ruthig to establish charity clubs was that there are a lot of unfortunate and underprivileged individuals out there and her kids, along with the rest are very lucky. She said, "I wanted to create a place where kids could learn, be inspired and learn about those in need who are right in their community."
According to Parenting Science, it is important for kids to learn empathy because it helps them become more self-aware and be able to take the perspective of another person. It also allows them to regulate their emotional responses, which is a good social skill that they need as they grow older.
The efforts of Ruthig in establishing an after-school charity club are laudable. Joining these charity clubs will help children develop a sense of empathy, which consequentially makes them better and more responsible members of the community.
