A Bright Future Ahead

Hello CC helpers,

Here we are – at the end of August 2022. A new school year has begun. And with it, I am reminded of CC’s beginnings. A little over a year ago, we came together as parents and community members – to raise a rational voice above the partisan politics that had put our kids in COVID-19’s harmful path.

Some things have changed in the last year. Our school-age children have had the chance to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Our younger children too. And some of our schools have also added better ventilation and filtration to help improve the air they breathe.

And some things remain the same. We continue to hear misinformation and disinformation on a regular basis. Fringe ideas continue to be voiced and to take hold in our communities. CC’s legal challenge continues. And CC remains a non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to protecting Utah kids.

We have all played a role this last year pushing for safer schools for Utah kids. And I believe that CC has a role to play still – in securing a better present and brighter future for Utah’s kids. That is why – one year after CC began – we’d like to announce our broader mission and vision.

Last year, we formed as Concerned Coalition. We had reason to be concerned with what we were seeing across our state. But our mission is and has always been broader than that. Today, I would like to announce the good news that CC is moving forward as the Compassion Coalition.

As Compassion Coalition, CC will serve a broad mission of ensuring a bright future for Utah’s kids through compassion, reason, and integrity. We stand in support of educators, policymakers, public officials, and others who seek the best interests of all Utah children through empathy, compassion, and good judgment. We will stand between Utah’s children and the fringe voices who push extremist policies aimed at our kids and the adults who have dedicated their lives to helping them.

We believe each child has value and deserves protection and opportunities to grow.

Our common values are what can drive us forward as a CC community still. Our three core values are:

1. Compassion: We seek to elevate compassion and kindness for all of Utah’s children.

2. Health: We actively support people, policies, and practices which promote health, wellness and safety for every child.

3. Reason: We seek to employ sound data, logic, and evidence on all matters affecting kids, especially those where the stakes are high.

I invite you to continue raising your voice with us. We can’t afford to let our children’s future be decided by a few fringe voices. Through CC, we have a way to counter harmful narratives. And to advocate together for Utah’s kids wherever their well-being is at stake.

To a better present and a brighter future for our kids!

Chris Phillips President, Compassion Coalition