Compassionate Atlanta, a grassroots community-building nonprofit that seeks to raise awareness about the benefits of compassionate action throughout the Greater Atlanta area and beyond, is back for its annual festival focused on building compassion, equity, respect, and inclusion across communities.

CompassionCon 2023, taking place on Saturday, September 30th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at Legacy Park in Decatur, GA, is centered on the viral nature of compassion when our communities prioritize our common humanity and interdependence. The interactive and community-based festival features various events, activities, and family-friendly attractions, including:

Performing Arts - Hosted by VOX

• VOX on Stage - Youth performances highlighting LGBTQ youth voices

• Waller’s Bluegrass Band 

• Poetry by Wild Atlanta author Stephen Wing

• Hip-Hop by Tim’m West

Learning Garden  - Hosted by the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics & SEE Learning

• Activities for kids and adults

• Face painting

• Touch A Truck with the city of Decatur fire department

• Creating a Flower Garden with Compassionate Atlanta

• FABiam The Affirmation Parrot

• CBCT - Cognitively Based Compassion Training and SEE Learning (Social Emotional and Ethical Learning)

Civil & Human Rights Town Center - Hosted by the Georgia Justice Project

• Georgia Justice Project

• Georgia Muslim Voter Project

• New Sanctuary Movement of Atlanta

• Tyme to Thrive Beyond Grief - Ending Gun Violence

• Refugee Women’s Network

Health Care Pavillion - Hosted by The Task Force for Global Health

• FACE - Focus Area for Compassion and Ethics

• SisterLove - reproductive justice - Free HIV testing

• CORE - COVID vaccines and free home tests

• AID Atlanta

• NAMI - Mental health resources and information

• AL ANON

• The Task Force for Global Health

• Morehouse Satcher Health Leadership Institute 

YOU(th) Belong Village - Hosted by the LGBTQ Institute at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

• VOX Communications - media developed by and for teens

• Center for Civil and Human Rights YOU(th) Belong LGBTQ Initiative 

• Neighborhood Church

• Kaleidoscope Village

• Athena’s Warehouse

Empowerment Park - Hosted by TELIC Empowerment

• TELIC Empowerment - A sensory experience that will give participants a chance to do sensory activities to learn what it feels like in a small way to have a disability that affects your hearing or your sight. The activities are meant to be fun and engaging and for all ages.

• L’Arche Atlanta

• Partners in Change

• Clubhouse Atlanta - Mental Health

• Two and You Foundation

• Interfaith Atlanta

• ICM - Interfaith Children’s Movement - advocacy for children

Environmental Hub - Hosted by GPB

• GPB - GPB will be participating in the Environmental Hub highlighting WILD HOPE, a new global series focused on intrepid changemakers who are working to restore and protect our planet. They will be sharing video excerpts from the series and sharing fun giveaways!

• Wild Atlanta 

• Ridwell- Helping recycle batteries and plastic materials

Self-Care Circle - Hosted by Serenity Healing Arts, LLC (Reiki & Restorative Yoga)

• Chair yoga and gentle stretching - Serenity Healing Arts

• Gong Healing - Sanctum with Eve

• Vibrational Sound Healing - Infinite Bliss Wellness

• Take a Break Sensory Chill Zone

Handmade Hive - Hosted by Phoenix & Dragon Bookstore

• Jack Barnes - handmade wooden bowls and birds

• Sunavworld - Nepali handmade purses, scarves, etc

• Alternative Grains - Gluten-free breads

• Beyond Virsaa - handmade textiles and Pakistani crafts

Food Truck Outpost - Hosted by Refugee Women’s Network Chef’s Club

• MacQueen

• Herman’s Italian Ice

• Refugee Women’s Network Chef’s Club

• Get Out The Whey

Rural Partners of GA - Hosted by Resilient Georgia

CompassionCon 2023 will be in partnership with rural partners and will be an opportunity for rural grassroots community health and equity organizations to network and engage with urban partners. 

For more information and a full schedule of events please visit here. CompassionCon 2023 presenting sponsors are Gilead Health Sciences and Georgia Public Broadcasting (GBP), other sponsors include Emory’s Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics,  Phoenix & Dragon Bookstore, and various area hosts including: VOX Communications, Georgia Justice Project, The Task Force for Global Health, Hosted by the LGBTQ Institute at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, TELIC Empowerment, Serenity Healing Arts, LLC, and Refugee Women’s Network Chef’s Club.