top of page
oil_painting_earth_portrait_edited_edited.jpg

Created by Diana Reyers

Created by Diana Reyers

Daring to Share

Advocacy

Featuring Community Advocates for

Change in Long-Term Care

Beginning Sept 15, 2026

THE INVITATION

Daring to Share Long-Term Care

Beginning September 15, 2026, Diana Reyers and her advocacy team will host monthly gatherings that unite community members, elected officials, and leaders from non-profit, education, and healthcare sectors to amplify the voices of those with lived experience in long-term care.

These events are dedicated to advancing compassionate, person-centred care by raising awareness, sharing real stories, and inspiring meaningful action. Participants will gain practical advocacy tools, learn how to navigate the long-term care system, and discover ways to influence positive change in their communities.

By speaking the truth, working together, and advocating for accountability, we can help shape a long-term care system that upholds dignity, compassion, and respect for every resident and every family.

​If you have a loved one in long-term care.  If you're concerned about your possible future in it. If you have already experienced challenging decisions to advocate for better care, or refused to accept anything less than the dignity and support your loved one deserved, this is the event series for you!!

​​​​

BECOME INFORMED

GET ANSWERS

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

TRANSFORM SILENCE INTO ACTION​

DARING TO SHARE Advocate For Change

Diana Reyers

2026_04_21_Reyers_Diana_GLAM087_edited.jpg

Real change begins when people are willing to speak up.

The Daring to Share Advocate for Change campaign invites you to become aware of Ontario's long-term care system before being immersed in crisis. This event series provides informed advocacy while creating constructive conversations that can lead to meaningful change.

 

We encourage you to share your long-term care advocacy experience anonymously—whether you advocated for yourself, a loved one, or someone who could not speak for themselves. Every story helps raise awareness, expose gaps in care, and strengthen the call for a more compassionate, accountable, and person-centred long-term care system.

Like many families, I was told my expectations were "too high" when I simply asked that my husband's agreed-upon care plan be followed. I wasn't asking for exceptional care—I was asking for the care he had been promised. That experience reminded me how easily advocates can be made to question themselves when they are simply fighting for a loved one's safety, dignity, and well-being.

Too often, fear, guilt, or intimidation keeps people silent. Becoming educated and sharing our stories replaces silence with understanding, accountability, and action. Together, we can influence policy, improve care, and ensure every resident receives the respect, dignity, and quality of care they deserve.

Diana Reyers

Passionate Advocate for Social Justice

Authenticity Coach & Bestselling Author 

Creator of The Legacy Project—How Do You Want to Be Remembered

OFFICIAL HOST & MASTER OF CEREMONIES

Bill Welychka

​Bill Welychka is a familiar and trusted voice to audiences across Canada, known for his warmth, quick wit, and genuine ability to connect with people.

 

With decades of experience in broadcasting and live events, Bill brings energy, professionalism, and heart to every stage he steps onto.

As emcee and host of Daring to Share: Long-Term Care Advocacy, Bill will help guide an important conversation about the future of long-term care — creating space for stories to be heard, voices to be amplified, and meaningful change to take shape.

For Bill, hosting is about more than keeping an event moving. It’s about bringing people together, asking thoughtful questions, and helping shine a light on the people and issues that matter most.

Bill Welychka

Emcee & Host | Broadcaster | Community Advocate

DARING TO SHARE Strategic Event Partner

Sheri Carter-Godfrey

Sheri Carter-Godfrey is the founder of Senior Transitions, a service dedicated to helping seniors and their families navigate life’s transitions with greater ease, dignity and grace.

With a focus on downsizing, real estate, end-of-life support, and community building, Sheri helps families prepare not only their homes, but also their hearts, for what comes next. From decluttering and staging to listing and selling, she helps take the stress out of significant life transitions while creating thoughtful, practical solutions for seniors and the people who love them.

 

Sheri brings a compassionate, community-focused perspective to the Daring to Share Long-Term Care Advocacy Series, helping create meaningful conversations around aging, caregiving, transition, and the experiences families encounter along the way.

 

Her philosophy is simple: create ease and grace for the ones you love.

Sheri Carter-Godfrey

Realtor and Founder of Senior Tansitions

Daring to Share Long-Term Care
Daring to Share Long-Term Care
Multiple Dates
Tue, Sep 15
The Kaufmann Studio
Transforming Silence into Change Join the Daring to Share Long-Term Care Series—where residents, families, care partners, professionals, and advocates come together to learn, connect, and champion meaningful improvements in long-term care. Be informed. Be inspired. Be Part of the change

Attend Advocacy Events—

Becoming Educated & Aware

Monthly, beginning September 15, 2026​

  • Sept 15: The Start—Understanding Home Care, Retirement Living, Assisted Living, and Long-Term Care.

        Keynote Speaker: Sheri Carter-Godfrey

        Storyteller: Diana Reyers

        In Their Own Words: Diana Reyers in conversation with caregivers

        Maureen Rooney, RN, Sheri Carter-Godfrey

  • Oct 20: Your Rights—From Written Rights to Lived Experience.

        Keynote Speaker: TBA

        Storyteller: Sheri Carter-Godfrey

        In Their Own Words: Diana Reyers in conversation with caregivers

        Maureen Rooney, RN, Sheri Carter-Godfrey, Leanne Shortt

  • Nov 17: Staffing—Strengthening the Workforce. Improving Care.

        Keynote Speaker: TBA​

        Storyteller: Maureen Rooney, RN

        In Their Own Words: Diana Reyers in conversation with caregivers

        Maureen Rooney, RN, Sheri Carter-Godfrey, Leanne Shortt

        

  • Dec 15: Frontline Workers: Changing What Doesn't Work.

        Keynote Speaker: TBA

        Storyteller: Diana Reyers

        In Their Own Words: Diana Reyers in conversation with caregivers

        Maureen Rooney, RN, Sheri Carter-Godfrey, Leanne Shortt

  • Jan 19: Family Advocacy—Transforming Silence into Action.

        Keynote Speaker: Diana Reyers

        Storyteller: Diana Reyers

         In Their Own Words: Diana Reyers in conversation with caregivers

        Maureen Rooney, RN, Sheri Carter-Godfrey, Leanne Shortt

  • Feb 16: Compliance—Transparency, Accountability, and Action.

        Keynote Speaker: TBA

        Storyteller: Diana Reyers

        In Their Own Words: Diana Reyers in conversation with caregivers

        Maureen Rooney, RN, Sheri Carter-Godfrey, Leanne Shortt

       

  • March 16: Dementia Care—Seeing the Person Beyond the Diagnosis.

        Keynote Speaker: TBA

        Storyteller: Diana Reyers

        In Their Own Words: Diana Reyers in conversation with caregivers

        Maureen Rooney, RN, Sheri Carter-Godfrey, Leanne Shortt

  • April 20: Caregiver Well-Being—Thriving Through the Journey.

        Keynote Speaker: TBA        

        Storyteller: Diana Reyers

        In Their Own Words: Diana Reyers in conversation with caregivers

        Maureen Rooney, RN, Sheri Carter-Godfrey, Leanne Shortt

  • May 18: Every Moment Matters: Understanding Palliative & Hospice Care.

        Keynote Speaker: TBA

        Storyteller: Sheri Carter-Godfrey

        In Their Own Words: Diana Reyers in conversation with caregivers

        Maureen Rooney, RN, Sheri Carter-Godfrey, Leanne Shortt

  • June 15: Understanding MAID—Eligibility, Safeguards, & the Process

        Keynote Speaker: TBA

        Storyteller: Diana Reyers

        In Their Own Words: Diana Reyers in conversation with caregivers

        Maureen Rooney, RN, Sheri Carter-Godfrey, Leanne Shortt

Amplify Our Voice—

Sharing With the Media

To help ensure our message reaches communities across Ontario and Canada, we will invite news media organizations to attend our events and share the stories of residents, families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, highlighting the need for improvements in long-term care. 

 

  • Global News

  • CTV News

  • CBC News

  • CityNews

  • Kingstonist News

  • The Kingston Whig-Standard

  • YourTV Kingston

  • Corus Radio Kingston

  • Bell Media Radio

Inspire Conversation—

Encouraging Accountability

With your permission, the stories shared through this campaign will be compiled and presented to elected officials and other decision-makers to help inform policy, improve services, and advance meaningful change in long-term care across Ontario and Canada.

​Invited decision-makers to this advocacy event series include:

  • Kingston Mayor, Bryan Paterson

  • Member of Parliament, the Honourable Mark Gerretsen

  • MPP Ted Hsu
  • Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney

  • Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford

  • Representatives from the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care

  • Ontario Minister of Long-Term Care, Natalia Kusendova-Bashta

  • Minister of Health, Marjorie Michel

  • Representatives from Ontario Health atHome

  • Representatives from KFL&A Public Health

Share Your Story— 

Advocating Change

Your voice can help drive change. By sharing your long-term care advocacy experience anonymously, you will help raise awareness, strengthen our collective voice, and inspire action toward a more compassionate, accountable, and person-centred long-term care system.

At each monthly event, you'll receive a QR code to access our Daring to Share Long-Term Care Story platform, where you can share your experience anonymously, in your own words. Every story helps highlight the realities of long-term care and supports advocacy for meaningful system improvements across Ontario and Canada.

Your permission will always be requested before your story is published or shared with elected officials, community partners, healthcare organizations, or other stakeholders working to improve long-term care.

 

To protect everyone's privacy, please do not include the names of healthcare workers, staff members, or specific facilities. These stories are not about assigning blame—they are about advancing collaboration, accountability, and lasting system-wide change.

Food Proudly Catered by Tulips and Maple Kingston

Theatre-style charcuterie —grab your take-out box and non-alcoholic beverage to take to your seat. Choose from a variety of options, including vegan and plant-based.

The Hank Reyers

Parkinson's Fund

Through the Hank Reyers Parkinson's Fund, all net proceeds of your ticket will support Parkinson Canada research.

The Monthly Event

Share Your Caregiving Story
Anonymously

Daring to Share Long-Term Care
Daring to Share Long-Term Care
Multiple Dates
Tue, Sep 15
The Kaufmann Studio
Transforming Silence into Change Join the Daring to Share Long-Term Care Series—where residents, families, care partners, professionals, and advocates come together to learn, connect, and champion meaningful improvements in long-term care. Be informed. Be inspired. Be Part of the change

THE LOCATION

The Studio

by Kaufmann Photography
4 Cataraqui St, Kingston, ON K7K 1Z6

With original brickwork, stamped concrete floors with in-floor heat, soaring ceilings, and oversized windows that flood The Studio with natural light, it is the

perfect space to move through your Legacy Project.

Skillfully restored to exude old-world charm and grandeur, The Studio is located in the Woolen Mill, one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in

Kingston, Ontario. 

DURATION
monthly

for 10 months

LOCATION

Kingston, ON

Canada

Curious For More?
Ask About Your Legacy Journey

Request your in-person or private Zoom conversation invitation with Diana to explore alignment and availability.

daringlymindful@gmail.com

Stay in the Know

Join our email list and get access to specials offers exclusive to our subscribers.

bottom of page