San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg announced the unveiling of Compassionate USA, a local and national campaign designed to decrease violence and heal collective trauma.

Nirenberg made the announcement June 8 during a U.S. Conference of Mayors summer meeting in Columbus, Ohio.

City officials said Compassionate USA, developed through a partnership of the city of San Antonio and the Alamo Colleges District, is a six-part curriculum that includes videos, resources and guidance on promoting compassion and fostering healing through the principles of compassion.

Local officials said any organization may use the Compassionate USA curriculum free of charge.

“The concept of compassion is rooted in the 'Golden Rule’—to treat all others in the ways we wish to be treated,” said Nirenberg, who also chairs the U.S. Conference of Mayors Center for Compassionate and Equitable Cities.

Local officials said Compassionate USA focuses on emotional awareness, self-compassion, recognizing common humanity compassion for others, collective trauma and healing, and compassionate systems.

The Compassionate USA course is designed to address civil discord; racial violence; and the effects of collective trauma, such as the COVID-19 global pandemic.

The local launch of Compassionate USA is scheduled as part of a free public event at 6:30 p.m. June 26 at the Alamo Colleges district office board room, 2222 N. Alamo St.

The launch for local partners will include a community conversation initiated by Nirenberg and Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin that will explore ways to reject social division and violence, local officials said.