Who We Are

Mission

To cultivate inner and outer peace by empowering individuals and communities to mindfully recognize and dismantle systems of power and privilege, creating equitable relationships and a just society.

Vision

A world where empathy, equity, and peace flourish through the widespread practice of mindfulness, leading to the transformation of oppressive structures and collective liberation.

Values

Mindfulness

Cultivating present moment awareness, non-judgement, and compassion as foundational practices.

Courage

Facing difficult truths about power and privilege with open hearts and minds.

Inclusion

Creating welcoming and accessible spaces for diverse perspectives and experiences.

Equity

Striving for fairness and justice in opportunities and outcomes of all individuals, regardless of background or identity.

Compassion

Extending grounded understanding and kindness to ourselves and others, especially in the face of conflict and discomfort.

Transformation

Believing in the capacity for individual and systemic change.

Peace

Working towards inner peace and harmonious relationships within communities and globally.

Collaboration

Partnering with individuals and organizations to amplify impact.

Our Story

The Being Human Foundation was founded by award-winning author, Vanessa Ferlaino, as a donation-based mindfulness circle. Donations went to a charity of the circle's choosing. As we deepened our practice together, we realized an underlying desire for social change, and have since evolved to offer more formal programming on understanding and transforming power and privilege.

The Being Human Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit with tax exempt status in the State of California of The United States of America (EIN #88-1969689). The Being Human Foundation is also a registered non-profit in Ontario, Canada, expecting charity status in 2026.