New Beginnings: A New Years Gathering for Compassionate Change

Welcome the New Year with intention at New Beginnings, an inspiring evening dedicated to animal rights, environmental responsibility, and social change. Hosted at Caravan of Dreams, this event brings together community, creativity, and action. We will have short talks from volunteers and nonprofits board members sharing practical steps everyone can take to make a positive impact, alongside aspirational music performances that set the tone for reflection and hope. The evening concludes with an interactive workshop where we will create vision boards for the New Year including personal pledges and resolutions aligned with our values. The speakers and performers include: • Victoria Moran is an American bestselling author, speaker, and vegan advocate, founder and director of Main Street Vegan Academy and co-founder of the Compassion Consortium, with work spanning books, podcasts, and training programs promoting compassionate vegan living. • Saurabh Dalal is a long-time ethical vegan and animal rights supporter who serves as Treasurer of the Veg Society of DC and volunteers as a board member/advisor for numerous vegan-oriented organizations, drawing on his background in engineering and ethical advocacy to advance vegan outreach and education. • Natalie Asport is a New York City–based indie alt-rock singer-songwriter and activist whose original music blends storytelling with creative expression and engagement in social justice causes. • Drea Herrera is a Senior Organizer at the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), where she works on civil rights, immigrants’ rights, and intersecting justice issues as part of her advocacy and community organizing. Join us for a meaningful start to the year—connect with like-minded people, get inspired, and leave with clear commitments toward a more compassionate and sustainable world.