Roots of Empathy was launched in Manitoba as a pilot project in 2001. Positive outcomes resulted in the government of Manitoba offering the program province-wide to public, band-operated and private schools. In the ensuing 20 years, Roots of Empathy has reached 100,000 students.
In 2020, there were 350 classrooms of students in 32 out of 37 School Divisions across the Province participating in the program. Participation was equitable and accessible to any and all School Divisions in the province. In 2021, the Province of Manitoba, through the Manitoba Department of Education, supported the Roots of Empathy Recovery Program.