25 Years of Daring to Care: A Founder’s Journey of Compassion, Courage and Change

25 Years of Daring to Care by Lisa Dixon-Wells.

Twenty-five years ago, fueled by compassion and a bold vision, I took a leap of faith. What began as a desire to make a difference in the lives of those who felt misunderstood and mistreated, grew Dare to Care: A program that has impacted communities across the country and millions of lives worldwide.

During my two and a half decades with the organization, life has thrown me a whole highlight reel of unforgettable memories. Each one of these moments has added a little more substance to who I am, why I do what I do, and what makes me smile with pride. Now, as I prepare to pass the torch to the next brave leaders of this impactful organization, here are five defining moments from over the years that truly shine as the ultimate mix of creativity, grit, teamwork, and keeping it humble.

1999 – The Seed is Planted

The early days were a rollercoaster of exhilaration and mild panic. With just four years under my belt as a school counsellor and zero experience running a nonprofit, I was basically winging it. I had a bold vision, a heart full of hope, and a suspiciously high caffeine intake. There was no manual, no secret map. All I had was an unshakable belief that compassion could punch bullying in the face (gently, of course). I knew if we wanted to truly shake up the school culture, we couldn’t go it alone. In order to make a lasting impact, we needed the whole community on board and, let’s be honest, we also needed funding.

Enter Dick Wilson. At the time, Dick was the VP of Community Investments at Alberta Energy Company (soon to transform into EnCana Corporation). Dick instantly got what Dare to Care was about. That one quick meeting sparked a decade-long partnership that supported bringing the Dare to Care vision to life.

In 2005, Dare to Care and EnCana were honoured with the Imagine Canada Award for Community Partnerships. This was a moment that came with a whirlwind private jet trip to Toronto (yes, we felt fancy), a lavish gala at the Royal York Hotel, and a peek into the lifestyle of the fabulously philanthropic. But the real treasure? The enduring friendship with Dick, who still sits on our Board of Directors and continues to be our wise and witty supporter. I will forever be grateful for Dick and EnCana. Without their monumental support and profound vision, Dare to Care may never have made it.

2010 – Walking with the Dene

One of the most humbling and unforgettable moments of my career took place in Tulita; a remote fly-in hamlet nestled in the Northwest Territories and home to the resilient and wise Dene First Nation. It was January, deep winter, and a biting -35°C. After helping push our little four-seater prop plane out of a snowbank (yes, that actually happened), we settled into what became our home for the week. The hamlet was cold, quiet, and unlike anything we’d ever known.

But this trip was never just about delivering a program. It was about showing up with open hearts to listen, learn, and bear witness to a way of life steeped in tradition, strength, and community. The Dene people welcomed us with warmth that cut through the cold, offering stories and insights that would leave a lasting imprint on our souls.

On our fourth day in the school I witnessed something that would have caused absolute mayhem in a typical urban setting. I watched in disbelief as students arrived by snowmobile with rifles slung over their shoulders. In Tulita this was a moment of beauty, not fear. The Grade 5 class was heading out on their long-awaited caribou hunt which was a cherished rite of passage in their culture. When they invited me to join, I was honoured, but chose to decline as I knew that this experience belonged to them, uninterrupted.

Even our departure was something out of a northern adventure tale. When our flight was grounded by weather, the local RCMP offered to drive us 81 kilometres across a frozen McKenzie Lake to the next nearest airport. For the next 60 or so minutes I rode in the back of a truck, shoulder to shoulder with a freshly hunted deer. Surreal, humbling, and 100% true.

2013 – A Record of Kindness

With the help of an absolutely legendary team, Dare to Care pulled off something a little wild and truly unforgettable. In 2013, we set a Guinness World Record for the World’s Longest Lemonade Stand! Stretching all the way along Calgary’s Eau Claire Market, 365 identical lemonade stands lined up in perfect formation, each one buzzing with amazing volunteers handing out thousands of cups of the good stuff. It was a high-energy, heartwarming day that mixed pure fun with a powerful purpose: Spreading the message of bullying prevention and the magic of kindness.

And because we love a full-circle moment, after the event we donated all 365 lemonade stands to an animal rescue group who repurposed the wood to build cozy dog houses for pups in communities in the far north of Alberta. From lemonade to loving homes, we turned something sweet into something even sweeter.

2018 – From Classrooms to Locker Rooms

This was the year we dove headfirst into a whole new arena when we launched our “Dare to Care in Sport” program, thanks to a formative partnership with the University of Calgary Swim Club. It was more than just a pilot. It was a mission to call out bullying and toxic culture in athletic spaces (something that was long overdue). For me, this wasn’t just professional; it was deeply personal. The U of C Swim Club was where I closed out my own competitive swimming career many decades ago. Returning to work with the next generation of athletes felt serendipitous and was a moment that blended two of my passions together. What began as a passion project rooted in sport and a lifelong commitment to bullying prevention grew into something much bigger. Today, Dare to Care: Tackle Bullying in Sport stands proudly as a national leader in Canada’s safe sport movement and I couldn’t be more proud.

2020 – Pivoting with Purpose

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, everything changed overnight. Like so many other organizations, Dare to Care was looking at a wave of uncertainty. But instead of hitting “pause”, we hit "go”. Fueled by a mix of determination, more caffeine, and sheer willpower, we pulled off one of our biggest pivots yet and transformed Dare to Care’s school programs into a fully online platform in just a matter of weeks.

It was a bold leap of faith, sparked by necessity, but it turned out to be one of the most game-changing decisions we've made to date. Suddenly, the walls of geography came down. We reached communities we’d never imagined, opened doors we didn’t know existed, and proved that not even a global pandemic could stop the power of compassion, connection, and education.

The People Behind the Mission

None of this would have been possible without the incredible people who have walked this journey with me. To every staff member who gives their all, every facilitator who shows up passionate about our message, and every donor who believes in our mission, thank you. You are the heartbeat of Dare to Care.

To all the amazing individuals and families who’ve let us be part of your stories, thank you for the trust, the laughs, the lessons, and everything in between. You have shown me time and time again that while one person can spark change, it’s the power of community that really keeps the momentum going.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate 25 years, I am filled with pride for how far Dare to Care has come and excitement for what lies ahead. Though I will be stepping down as Executive Director, I will always be a committed supporter. The next chapter of Dare to Care will be led by new hands, fresh ideas, and the same unwavering heart.

What began as a one-person mission has grown into a vibrant movement. Here’s to the past that built us, the people who carried us, and the future that inspires us. May we always Dare to Care and never stop believing that kindness can change the world.