LiveDifferent
LiveDifferent inspires global positive change through volunteering and youth empowerment.
In partnership with LiveDifferent, WestJet launched the WestJet LiveDifferent Builds program in 2012 — an international community investment initiative. This ten-day trip to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic brings 50 WestJet Group team members together to work alongside local community members, contractors, and translators to build homes and lift families and communities.
Since the program's inception, over 650 WestJetters have helped build 65 homes, extending WestJet’s caring culture into the Dominican Republic. As team members fundraise to participate, they are also challenged to over fundraise for community-led projects. WestJet Group team members have overfundraised more than $165,000 since 2014. These funds support initiatives such as community infrastructure improvements, medical support, housing upgrades, clean water access, and emergency relief.
The WestJet LiveDifferent Builds program gives WestJet Group team members the opportunity to make a difference in one of our popular vacations’ destinations, participate in a life changing experience and most importantly connect on a deeply human level.
How we support
Through the gift of flight, WestJet has provided assistance with domestic and international program delivery, business travel and fundraising activities across the organization. WestJet is also proud to offer LiveDifferent Build and Academy volunteers discounts on their air travel when booking flights for their LiveDifferent trips.
Initiatives and highlights
For the second year in a row, WestJet was proud to be the Event Sponsor for LiveDifferent’s Together We Thrive Gala in Calgary. The evening was filled with generosity, shared purpose, and the belief that every young person deserves hope and opportunity.
Together, we raised critical funds and awareness in support of LiveDifferent's work in Canada, within Indigenous communities, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Haiti and Thailand. These efforts help young people feel supported, have space to grow, build confidence and develop compassion for themselves and others. We are grateful for all those who came together to make this event such a success. When we invest in one another and stand together, we truly thrive as a force for good.
In June of 2024, we embarked in partnership with LiveDifferent to bring youth from Cree nations of Bunibonibee, Sapotaweyak, and Nisichiwayasik in Northern Manitoba on their first ever Build. For some youth it was the first time they left their community, and first time they flew on an airplane. The alignment and connection between WestJetters, the youth, chaperones, LiveDifferent team, and local Dominican community was symbiotic. As the week progressed, the group opened up and the transformation in the youth was remarkable. They grew not only in their skills, but also in their self-assurance and understanding of teamwork. Since 2024, WestJet has supported youth participation in these Builds trips by providing flights.
In partnership with LiveDifferent, WestJet launched its international Community Investment initiative, the WestJet LiveDifferent Builds program, in 2012. The WestJet LiveDifferent Builds is a nine-day humanitarian trip to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic where 50 WestJetters immerse themselves in the local community to work alongside community members, contractors, and translators to build homes and lift families and communities in the Dominican Republic.
Through this initiative, WestJet has brought its caring culture to communities in the Puerto Plata area. Since the inaugural trip, more than 650 WestJetters have come together to help build 65 new homes.
As WestJet Group team members prepare for the WestJet LiveDifferent Build, they are challenged to exceed their fundraising goals in support of community enrichment projects identified by LiveDifferent and local leaders as having the greatest impact. Since 2014, these efforts have resulted in more than $165,000 in additional funds raised by WestJet and WestJetters. Past projects include the refurbishments of playgrounds and basketball courts, support of medical clinics with equipment and supplies, funding the salary of a doctor for one year, purchasing land for a new boys and girls club/community centre, paving sidewalks and staircases to allow residents to safely move through the community, refurbishing houses, and the purchase and installation of a water well to provide consistent basic access to running water. Funds raised also support the Emergency Relief and Community Development Fund, which assists families and communities with unexpected hardships, such as medical emergencies, food insecurity, school fees, and disaster relief.
The WestJet LiveDifferent Builds program gives WestJet Group team members the opportunity to make a difference in one of our popular vacations destinations, participate in a life changing experience and most importantly connect on a deeply human level.
About LiveDifferent
LiveDifferent was established as a Canadian charity in 2000 and began to operate internationally in 2005. They help young people explore and instill important values, build stronger relationships and get activated in compassion within their communities and abroad. Their signature programs are designed for long-lasting impact on youth — so they can reach their full potential as kind, compassionate and resilient human beings. Since their inception, they have reached more than 1.8 million youth, built over 648 homes, schools and infrastructure projects, visited 4,116 schools/communities and served 242,000 meals at École L'Union in Canada. As they’ve grown over the years, the one thing that will never change is their commitment to inspire those around them with value, purpose, and responsibility.
"The impact is far and wide — from the individual families who received their new homes, to the ripple effect on their surrounding communities and the impact on the WestJetters themselves — it's almost immeasurable really. The partnership that LiveDifferent and WestJet share is one that has been written about, it has been studied by others and is certainly something for which we are forever grateful. There is a lot to celebrate here. I would like to thank WestJet for journeying with us, for being our friends, and for working diligently alongside us and the communities in the Dominican Republic to ensure a true sense of symbiotic philanthropy is achieved for everyone involved."
— Charles Roberts, CEO, LiveDifferent
LiveDifferent articles from our Newsroom
- LiveDifferent welcomes Diederik Pen to Board of Directors as WestJet Group team members return from building homes in Dominican Republic | November 13, 2025
- WestJet celebrates National Volunteer Week and the impact of the LiveDifferent Build | April 16, 2024
- WestJet and LiveDifferent celebrate a decade of partnership in Dominican Republic | May 2, 2023
Get to know our other national partners
WestJet’s national partners are charity organizations that serve communities and families across Canada and the world.
BGC Canada serves Canadian youth by providing safe and supportive spaces for them to build positive relationships, confidence, and life-skills. Their work focuses on advocating for and supporting at-risk youth, including youth in Indigenous communities, youth struggling with mental health challenges and youth living in poverty.
The Canadian Cancer Society’s (CCS) mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer. CCS is the only national charity that supports all Canadians living with all cancers across the country. They are committed to improving and saving lives, and advocate to governments on important cancer-related issues and policies on behalf of those affected by cancer.
Hope Air supports Canadians overcome barriers of distance and cost to access medical care far from home.
Make-A-Wish® Canada (MAW) creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. A wish is an integral part of a child’s treatment journey, and research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness.
The Missing Children Society of Canada supports the safe recovery of missing and vulnerable people through coordinated public awareness, investigative support, and family services.
Ronald McDonald House® Canada gives families a place to stay together while their child is being treated at a nearby hospital. Their network of Canadian programs helps to keep more than 26,000 families close to their sick child, and the care they need each year.