Jim Moore, founder of Calgary Dream Centre, dies at 69

Jim Moore, who founded Calgary's Dream Centre and spent two decades leading the organization as a champion for the city's most vulnerable, has died. Moore passed away surrounded by loved ones, about three years after stepping down as CEO from the agency he built into a regional force supporting people facing substance abuse, homelessness and other crises.

Current CEO R. Craig Hill and board chairman Bob Nash remembered Moore's lifelong compassion: "Whether serving children and youth through the church or giving away his own lunch to someone who needed it more, Jim loved people deeply. He was a dreamer with a remarkable ability to see hope and possibility in places others might overlook."

Moore's formative years centred on downtown Calgary. He accompanied his father in bringing comfort to clients at The Lighthouse Mission, experiences that shaped his lifelong commitment to those struggling or in need.

Before founding the Dream Centre, Moore built a career in real estate. After starting his own company in Calgary, he joined Canada Trust and became president of its real estate division. At a conference in Vancouver 28 years ago, he suffered a heart attack—an event that eventually drew him back to Calgary and into community work.

The Dream Centre opened in 2003 in the former Nite Hotel on Macleod Trail. It began with three staff members and 12 clients. By the time Moore stepped down in 2023, the centre had grown to 80 employees serving 380 clients across multiple properties. While he was CEO, the agency assisted 9,000 clients—an achievement Moore hoped would inspire others to help those in need.

At his retirement in 2023, Moore said: "I want to be remembered as someone who took the time to help those in need and inspire others to do the same."

Memorial service details will be released in the coming weeks.