Pillows with Wings to Lead Empathy Training Efforts with Seton Catholic Schools, Supported by $1.25 Million Lilly Grant

In a transformative step for fostering empathy and emotional resilience in schools, Seton Catholic Schools has been awarded a $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., part of its Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative. This funding will empower the launch of the Faith Immersion Program, a dynamic curriculum that includes intergenerational worship, faith-centered emotional support, and—at its core—a partnership with Pillows with Wings to implement a groundbreaking empathy and emotional intelligence curriculum across all 14 Seton schools.

Pillows with Wings, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is dedicated to providing faith-driven, social-emotional learning (SEL) rooted in the teachings of empathy and resilience. Research highlights the need for this focus in schools: a Harvard study shows that 80% of young people today value personal success over empathy, underscoring a critical gap in emotional intelligence that programs like these aim to bridge. In the wake of this trend, Pillows with Wings is dedicated to creating compassionate, faith-focused learning environments that prioritize emotional growth alongside academic success.

The curriculum, called the 10 Lessons to Understanding Big Feelings Empathy Program, was inspired by a deeply personal story from founder Karen Ellenbecker. After stepping in to care for her granddaughters, Taelor and Autumn, through a period of family loss, Ellenbecker co-authored My Pillow Has Wings, a book that recounts their journey through grief, resilience, and hope. This story of faith and healing, symbolized by a “magic pillow” that offered comfort, became the foundation for Pillows with Wings and its 10-week curriculum. The program teaches children how to understand and process complex emotions like empathy, loss, and hope, all within a faith-based framework.

In practical terms, the 10 Lessons to Understanding Big Feelings Empathy Program is tailored for grades K-6 and gives each student their own copy of My Pillow Has Wings, along with a comforting cloud-patterned pillowcase. Educators receive a detailed 60-page guide filled with activities and lesson plans, making the program adaptable and engaging for both classrooms and home-based learning.

With the Lilly Endowment’s support, Seton Catholic Schools and Pillows with Wings aim to cultivate a new generation of compassionate, resilient leaders equipped with the emotional and spiritual grounding to positively impact their communities. This partnership strengthens Seton’s commitment to holistic education, bringing empathy and faith together to create nurturing, supportive school environments for every child.

Lilly Endowment Grant Announcement October 2024

Pillows with Wings
Empathy Program

New for 2025-26 Pillows with Wings Empathy Program 2.0
2.0 Empathy Program

Pillows with Wings had the honor of participating in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's Opening Day for Catholic Leaders event

Pillows with Wings had the honor of participating in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s Opening Day for Catholic Leaders event on August 8, 2024. Our Empathy Program has been approved for all schools in the Archdiocese, with Seton Catholic Schools leading the way with 14 schools participating in the 2024-25 school year. The event provided a great opportunity to meet the principals from all the schools, tell our story, and introduce the NEW Empathy Program to them.

To Everything, Turn, Turn, Turn

On July 9th, friends, colleagues, and clients gathered at Ellenbecker Investment Group to celebrate the founder of Pillows with Wings, Karen Ellenbecker. The party marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another for Karen.

After creating and nurturing Ellenbecker Investment Group, she is now dedicating her time to her new passion: planting seeds of love in children’s hearts. “After learning about the immense needs children face here and around the world, I am now committing all my time to Pillows with Wings,” she told the gathered audience.

Pillows with Wings is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization rooted in the compassionate teachings of Jesus. Its mission is to create a faith-forward learning platform that drives social and emotional change, transforming lives and nurturing communities worldwide.

Karen spoke about her life’s journey and how all roads have led to this moment. She shared a video that highlighted Pillows with Wings and its flagship Empathy Program. (see here) The event was a joyous affair with many old and new faces in attendance.

“I am most excited to share this new focus in my life and invite all who have a passion for helping children, to join me on the journey,” she said in closing. And with that, one door was gently shut, and another was kicked wide open.

St. Marcus Harambee School Launches Empathy Program

Song. Prayer. And a Story. An assembly, attended by parents, students, and faculty, marked the commencement of the launch event, which was followed by an art activation project and delightful treats to celebrate.

The event showcased inspirational singing by the students, complemented by Laura Tyson, Campus Director, delivering a heartfelt rendition of the book “My Pillow Has Wings.” Art teacher Liza Goetter explained the art activation project to both parents and children, leading them in a spirited artist’s cheer;

I make messes.
I make mistakes.
But deep inside,
I got what it takes.
I am an artist.

The pillowcase project, coupled with “10 Lessons to Understanding Big Feelings,” are integral components of the empathy program. During this initial phase, students are tasked with writing their names on one side of the pillowcase and illustrating things that bring them joy or they love. At the end of the program, the students will adorn the other side with insights gained from the lessons. These personalized pillowcases will be showcased during a celebratory event to conclude the program.

Karen and Taelor Ellenbecker were both in attendance, and the students were thrilled to meet the real-life “Nana” and “Taelor” from the book. Their presence at the event breathed life into the story, with many students expressing a keen interest in learning more about them and their narrative. God’s presence brought everyone together in fellowship, as joy and laughter permeated the room.

The 12-week program will continue until the end of the school year, involving a total of 168 students in grades 1-4.

If you are an educator and think this program may fit in your school, click here to get more information.

Empathy: Now perhaps more than ever.

We created our Empathy Program to help grade school students understand their own feelings, the feelings of others, and how that awareness influences our lives — in the classroom and beyond. And what’s “beyond” is taking on increasing importance as the tapestry of society becomes more multicultural, more interwoven. And so grows the need for empathy — for the life-long skills necessary to build and maintain healthy relationships, effective communication, successful collaboration and vibrant communities.

Watch the Empathy Program Video

Click on the links below for a look at the Empathy Program: