FOUNDERS OF
THE VIRTUES PROJECT™
The mission of The Virtues Project™ is to provide empowering strategies that inspire the practice of virtues in everyday life. The project offers personal and professional development programs, trainings, and /materials which are helping people around the world to create a culture of character in homes, schools, prisons, and corporations. It was founded in 1991 by three concerned individuals who wanted to do something to counteract the rising violence among youth and families: Linda Kavelin-Popov, a psychotherapist, organizational consultant, and community developer; her husband Dan Popov, Ph.D., a clinical pediatric psychologist and scholar of the world's sacred texts; and her brother, John Kavelin, a Show Producer and Director with Walt Disney Imagineering.
Researching the world's sacred texts, they discovered something simple and profound. At the heart of all spiritual traditions are the virtues, described as the essence of the human spirit and the content of our character. The Family Virtues Guide, containing fifty-two of these universal virtues was published to help parents bring out the best in their children and in themselves. Five Strategies were developed to restore the practice of virtues in everyday life. The Virtues Project™ Educator's Guide was written by Linda Kavelin-Popov, sharing success stories from around the globe on how schools are applying the five strategies to create a climate of caring and character. The Popovs speak at many conferences each year and are featured presenters on the television series "Virtues: A Family Affair".
Linda Kavelin-Popov is a member of the National Think Tank on Character of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
The United Nations has honored The Virtues Project™ as a model program for people of all cultures because it honors and offers hope to people of all religions, races, and ethnicities.
VIRTUES PROJECT INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION (VPIA)
Purpose: To sustain the integrity of The Virtues Project™ and nurture its growth.
Vision: Igniting a global revolution of kindness, justice, and integrity through the practice of virtues.
Mission: Inspiring the practice of virtues in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities,
with five simple strategies.
Upon their retirement, founders Linda Kavelin-Popov and Dr. Dan Popov transferred Virtues Project International Inc. (VPI) to Virtues Project International Association (VPIA), a Canadian non-profit corporation.
VPIA is managed and supported by volunteers to carry forward the mission and vision of The Virtues Project™(TVP). The VPIA BOD diligently carries out its stewardship of The Virtues Project™.
By the end of Fiscal 2018, TVP had been introduced into more than 120 countries. There are now more than a thousand trained facilitators and promoters who, with the leadership of 285 Master Facilitators, work to spread The Virtues Project™ worldwide.
A large part of VPIA’s effort focuses on supporting and empowering that community of virtues advocates.
Regional networking is developing through the work of an International Advisory Council (IAC).