Walk In My Shoes Teaches Empathy and Inclusion to Students

In today’s fast-paced world, it is easy to overlook the challenges others face. Walk In My Shoes (WIMS) is a small but mighty nonprofit on a mission to change this through its innovative programming. For the students participating in the WIMS program, empathy and inclusion are more than just buzzwords—they’re essential life skills.

Hands-on Approach Engages Students and Results in Lasting Change

Founded in 2015, WIMS has spent a decade teaching empathy and inclusion to students in Grades 3-6, reaching over 33 schools and more than 15,000 students to date. The hands-on approach immerses students in the daily experiences of their peers who live with disabilities and other challenges. The goal is simple but profound: to cultivate understanding and kindness through perspective-taking.

Margaret Weiss Behrns, Founder, President, and Program Director of WIMS, was inspired to bring an adaptation of an existing program to her school to reduce social isolation of kids who presented with differences. Her vision was to ensure that children who face unique challenges—whether physical, cognitive, or sensory—feel seen, understood, and included.

“We work closely with families that have children with disabilities or medical conditions to understand the messages they want to convey,” says Behrns. This collaborative approach ensures that each activity is informed by lived experiences and designed to change behaviors. The program’s focus on Grades 3-6 ensures that young minds grasp the importance of kindness and inclusion at a pivotal age.

The program’s activities are intentionally fast-paced and engaging, allowing students to deepen their understanding of social and educational aspects of conditions such as ADHD, autism, visual impairments, sensory processing disorders, communication disorders, and more. By rotating through various stations, students participate in activities that challenge their senses and perspectives. These immersive simulations help them understand the hurdles their classmates face and offer practical strategies for inclusion. “The magic of the program is that it’s fun! The kids naturally engage, laugh, and participate. That’s when the learning begins,” says Sarah deKramer, a Social4Good (S4G) member and School Counselor who helped implement the WIMS program at Floris Elementary.

For Behrns, empathy is only the first step. “We build empathy, but empathy is not enough,” she says. “We teach kids how to be inclusive. We give them knowledge, perspective, and the specific skills they need to include a child with a disability, medical condition, or learning difference.” This approach has become a cornerstone of the WIMS program—empowering students to act on their understanding and create a more supportive environment.

Social4Good Project Brings WIMS Program to More Title I schools

March 2025 was an exciting month for WIMS, thanks to the support of Social4Good (S4G), an organization dedicated to empowering local nonprofits meeting critical community needs. Every month, S4G selects a nonprofit to support, and this March, S4G partnered with WIMS to bring its in-demand programming to more Title I schools.

S4G sponsored four Title I elementary schools with funding will cover the cost of the WIMS curriculum and volunteer training. Additionally, S4G provided in-kind donations for the activities used in the WIMS program and volunteer hours to assemble the activity kits. S4G’s efforts resulted in total donations of $5,097, empowering WIMS to bring its message of empathy and inclusion to even more students.

The project culminated in a hands-on learning event where S4G members experienced the WIMS curriculum firsthand. Much like the students who participate in the program, S4G members engaged in an activity that simulated social and safety challenges faced by children with food allergies. This experience deepened their understanding of the program’s importance and the positive ripple effect it can create.

Reflecting on S4G’s involvement, Behrns said, “I can only imagine the organization it took to put all of these activity kits together for four schools! Your support is allowing us to expand our program. Thanks to this grant, at least four Title I schools will receive the program.”

Positive Change Extends Beyond the Classroom

By teaching children the importance of empathy and inclusion, the program fosters a culture of understanding and respect that can shape school communities and beyond for years to come. WIMS envisions a world where inclusion is the norm, not the exception. With continued support from community partners like S4G, WIMS is poised to touch even more lives in its second decade. To learn more: https://www.walkinmyshoesprogram.org.

About Social4Good: S4G is an all-volunteer, grassroots organization that brings together engaged women who want to meet new people and support the organizations that make our community strong. To learn more about S4G or to donate to support local nonprofits, visit www.social4good.community.

Article by Sheila Murphy