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Compassionate Houston celebrates 15 years
growing a more compassionate city with luncheon featuring
Karen Walrond
Every city has a story. In Houston, it’s a story of people who show up for one another — in moments of crisis and in the quiet work of building community every day.
For 15 years, Compassionate Houston has been helping shape that story by bringing people and organizations together around a shared practice: compassion.
On Wednesday, May 20, Compassionate Houston will celebrate this milestone during its Annual Luncheon at the Junior League of Houston, featuring award-winning author, speaker, and leadership coach Karen Walrond.
Karen Walrond
Walrond, creator of the widely followed platform Chookooloonks, is known for inspiring individuals and organizations to live with intention, courage, and joy. Her work centers on what she calls a “kindness revolution” — the idea that small, intentional acts of compassion can create meaningful and lasting change.
At this year’s luncheon, Walrond will explore the theme “Creating Change, Cultivating Joy,” offering practical insights into how compassion can be cultivated and applied in everyday lives, workplaces, and communities. “Karen’s message reflects what Compassionate Houston is about,” said Pam Lewis, President of Compassionate Houston.
“Compassion isn’t just something we feel — it’s something we can practice, strengthen, and share. Over the past 15 years, we’ve seen how that practice can bring people together and create tangible impact across our city.”
The roots of Compassionate Houston trace back to 2009, when the global Charter for Compassion was unveiled, inspiring Houston leaders to ask a powerful question: What would happen if a city intentionally grew its capacity for compassion?
That vision was championed by the late Rev. Betty Adam, whose visionary leadership launched Compassionate Houston in 2011 and ultimately led to Houston becoming the first designated Compassionate City in Texas.
Today, Compassionate Houston connects a network of more than 35 partner organizations and individuals working together to foster collaboration, strengthen intercultural understanding, and expand compassion-driven initiatives throughout Greater Houston.
As the organization looks ahead, its mission remains focused on a transformative idea: compassion can be cultivated — and together, a city can become its best self.
Through its programs such as Compassionate Integrity Training, Project Kindness, and Compassion Week, the organization is building practical pathways for compassion to take root across the region.
Proceeds from the luncheon support Compassionate Houston’s ongoing programs.
For more information and to register, visit: www.compassionatehouston.org/luncheon-2026
About Compassionate Houston
Compassionate Houston is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011, in alignment with the Charter for Compassion, that promotes a compassionate culture in Greater Houston through awareness, education, community engagement, and service. Working with a growing network of partner organizations and programs, Compassionate Houston cultivates compassion as a practical force for connection, collaboration, and positive change.
