It all began with compassion and collaboration in 2019. For two years, the home of Kind Mind was Mindful Heart Programs, a nonprofit founded by Radhule Weininger (psychotherapist and author) and Michael Kearney (palliative care physician and author).
Starting the Kind Mind program involved valuable contributions from many people.
Radhule Weininger assembled a team of psychologists and educators, passionate about bringing mindfulness to schools. She also trained and supervised many mindfulness facilitators, some of whom are still contributing to Kind Mind. The first one of these was Patricia Zadeh, who realized the need for mindfulness education through her involvement with S.O.S (Signs of Suicide Program, SBUSD).
Three psychotherapists, Harrison Heyl, Anne-Marie Charest, and Ari Goldstein contributed their expertise from school-based mindfulness programs they have created and implemented. Avery Voos and Renee Golan also contributed based on their mindfulness education experience. Michael Kearney has provided insights about nature connection for curriculum content. Vivian Valentin contributed to the curriculum based on her neuroscience expertise and experience as a yoga and mindfulness instructor to children, and she secured essential funding and took the initiative to lead the organization as its Director.
Thanks to these fire-starters and many others for making it possible for Harrison Heyl and Vivian Valentin to continue to develop, lead and implement the Kind Mind Program.
