Compassionate Ridgefield is now accepting nominations for its 2025–2026 Youth Ambassador Program, a distinguished honor awarded annually to a select group of rising high school seniors who exemplify compassion, service, and leadership within the Ridgefield community.

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Each year, we ask local organizations and community leaders to nominate students who embody the mission and values of Compassionate Ridgefield. The Youth Ambassadors will be formally

recognized and celebrated throughout the year at major town events, including the Memorial Day Parade, 9/11 Memorial, Christmas Tree Lighting, and Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.

 

The tenets of Compassionate Ridgefield are:

• to always treat others as we wish to be treated ourselves

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• to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures

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• to dethrone ourselves from the center of our world and put another there

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• to honor the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody,

without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.

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In addition to participating in these public events, the Youth Ambassadors collaborate on a signature initiative—the Blueprint of Compassion Project—which will express their collective reflections on compassion and their vision for fostering a more caring and connected community.

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Says Martha Morris, Compassionate Ridgefield Chairperson: “It is important to continue to honor the young adult members of our community who lead their generation in acts of compassion and kindness. These students are role models for good and have left an indelible mark on Ridgefield through their thoughtful service and positive example of citizenship through

a compassionate lens.”

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