Developed by a third-grade teacher in a Bronx, New York, Catholic elementary school, "Dare to Care" is a school program that teaches elementary school children to develop a caring attitude toward themselves, others, and their environment. This paper describes the elements and institution of the Dare to Care program. Factors contributing to the child's sense of empathy, include: family influences, the role of television, and their community environment. The main components of the program are considered, including: (1) the importance of parent involvement; (2) a writing program in which children keep a caring journal; (3) conflict resolution role playing, in which the students are given the freedom to discuss inappropriate and appropriate outcomes of conflicts; (4) games and activities; (5) children's literature to which the children can relate their own experience; and (6) parent evaluations, in which parents give feedback concerning the success of the program. (Contains 46 references.) (JPB)