Dare2Care, an anti-bullying effort which unites LGBTQ+ and straight youth across Greater Cleveland in the fight to eradicate harassment and intimidation in schools, will become a program of Cleveland Leadership Center beginning January 1, 2018.
Dare2Care (D2C) was founded in 2011 by Don Wismer and Liz O’Donnell and had been administered by an independent nonprofit organization that ceased operations this month. Over the years, more than 400 students, 50 parents and 75 educators have been involved in its workshops and other programs to increase awareness, engage peers in conversation, and create activists to address discrimination issues.
O’Donnell said she was excited to have found a new home at the Leadership Center as D2C naturally evolves into something more expansive than its volunteer base could continue to implement. “What an honor to know that we have built something that CLC believes in and has put their might behind,” said O’Donnell, who will continue to volunteer as a D2C senior program advisor and facilitator. She added that D2C Board members and other volunteers were thrilled to see the passion with which the program has been embraced by CLC.
The program furthers Cleveland Leadership Center’s efforts to provide education, collaborative leadership training and civic engagement opportunities that empower participants to become change agents, said Marianne Crosley, CLC President and CEO. “CLC will work to build on the strong foundation of Dare2Care’s student and faculty programming,” she said.
Crosley noted that D2C will operate as part of CLC’s Look Up To Cleveland program, which for 30 years has been teaching high school students about their community, local social and economic issues, and helping them appreciate diversity. CLC will implement curriculum that Dare2Care created under the D2C name.
A signature project of D2C has been an annual multi-school workshop, the first of which will be announced in the new year.
Those who want more information about the annual D2C workshop or volunteer opportunities can contact Liz O’Donnell at dare2care@cleveleads.org or (440) 835-0664, or Look Up To Cleveland Program Director Christen DuVernay at cduvernay@cleveleads.org or (216) 592-2296.
Media contact:
Michael E. Bennett, VP of External Affairs
Work: (216) 591-2426, Cell: (216) 408-3874
mbennett@cleveleads.org