volunteering-opportunities-in-calgary

I’ve always wanted to be part of something bigger so I’ve handpicked the best volunteering opportunities to inspire you to make a difference.

After a long week of work, I plopped on the couch, mindlessly binge-watching Netflix, feeling guilty about wasting time. I wanted to do something meaningful with my free hours.

I decided to swap my remote for a volunteer opportunity, which completely changed my perspective. If you’re feeling that same itch to break free from the couch and do something worthwhile, you’re in the right place! 

I’ve handpicked the best volunteering spots in Calgary that inspire action and connection. Let’s dive in and discover how you can make a difference while enriching your own life!

1. Women’s Centre of Calgary

– Media credit: womenscentrecalgary

Website: http://www.womenscentrecalgary.org/ 

Address: 39 4 St NE, Calgary, AB T2E 3R6, Canada

Contact details: +14032641155

Operating hours: 11 AM–4 PM

The Women’s Centre of Calgary has existed since 1992 and is doing incredible work to support women and gender-diverse individuals. It’s great to see their impact on serving thousands of women through workshops, support groups, and advocacy efforts.

You could become a Workshop Facilitator, leading sessions on financial literacy or self-care, or a Drop-In Support Volunteer, helping create a welcoming environment for women visiting the Centre. 

You can also volunteer with the Garden Group to help cultivate vegetables and flowers while fostering community connections. Their Garden Group meets weekly for hands-on gardening sessions.

They also offer English Conversation Circles and creative workshops like Jewelry Making and Knitting Connections. They also organize events like the Annual General Meeting and advocacy campaigns around women’s rights and social justice. 

Pro tip:

Participate in their “Sponsor-a-Workshop” program. This initiative helps individuals or groups to fund specific workshops that align with their interests or expertise. By sponsoring a workshop, you help cover materials and resources.

2. Calgary Public Library

Media credit: calgarylibrary

Website: http://libraryfoundation.ca/ 

Address: 800 3 St SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2E7, Canada

Contact details: +14032212002

Operating hours: 9 AM–5 PM

The Calgary Public Library has over 3,500 volunteers who put in over 90,000 hours annually! Can you believe that? It’s like a big community of book lovers and learners.

One of the things I love about the library is its emphasis on storytelling. It offers awesome Storytime sessions for kids that bring stories to life. The library also has Reading Buddies, which help kids get into reading.

The library also has various volunteer roles, such as Technology Coaches who help people with digital tools or library materials delivery to seniors. It’s great that they make sure everyone in the community has access to these valuable resources.

But it’s not just about books and learning – they also have cool events and workshops. From digital literacy to creative writing, there’s something for everyone. And they even have special events to show appreciation for their volunteers. 

Pro tip:

Consider donating gently used books or hosting a book drive in your neighborhood. This will help replenish the library’s collection and encourage a culture of reading within your community. 

3. Calgary Food Bank

Media credit: calgaryfoodbank

Website: https://www.calgaryfoodbank.com/ 

Address: 5000 11 St SE, Calgary, AB T2H 2Y5, Canada

Contact details: +14032532055

Operating hours: 8 AM–7:30 PM

The Calgary Food Bank helps about 1,000 people with emergency food resources daily! 

And get this: Around 9,000 volunteers are chipping in to make it happen. They offer different volunteering roles. For example, there are Sorting Line Volunteers who go through all the donations to ensure everything is good for distribution. 

They can go through a whopping 3,400 pounds of food in just one shift! Then there are ID Checkers who greet clients and make sure everything’s in order before they get their hampers. 

And some volunteers specifically focus on creating hampers for infants—how heartwarming is that?

The Food Bank also hosts some cool events throughout the year. One of their big things is the Food Drive, where volunteers collect food donations from different spots across Calgary. 

Pro tip:

Consider hosting a community food drive in your neighborhood or workplace. It’s a great way to spread awareness about food insecurity in Calgary while making a tangible difference!

4. Calgary Drop-in Centre

Media credit: calgarydropin

Website: https://www.calgarydropin.ca/donate/ 

Address: 3640 11a St NE, Calgary, AB T2E 6M7, Canada

Contact details: +14032640856

Operating hours: 8 AM–5:30 PM

The Calgary Drop-In Centre is more than just an emergency shelter—it’s a real lifeline for people experiencing homelessness in Calgary. It provides essential services like health care, employment training, and housing assistance.

They help over 1,000 individuals every day. Their mission is all about compassion and empowerment. You can help ensure guests have access to clothing and hygiene products or manage the storage and distribution of donated items. 

There’s also a kitchen volunteer role where you can help prepare meals for hundreds of people daily. It’s a unique way to connect with the community and make a real difference.

The Drop-In Centre also hosts events yearly to raise awareness and funds for its cause. It holds community meal events, fundraising drives, and awareness campaigns to highlight homelessness issues in Calgary.

Pro tip:

Consider organizing a donation drive within your workplace or community group. Collecting essential items like clothing, hygiene products, or non-perishable food can significantly impact those in need. 

5. Between Friends

Media credit: calgarybfc

Website: http://www.betweenfriends.ab.ca/ 

Address: 8989 Macleod Trail SE #205, Calgary, AB T2H 0M2, Canada

Contact details: +14032699133

Operating hours: 9 AM–4 PM

Between Friends is all about creating inclusive opportunities for individuals with disabilities. It aims to foster connection, growth, and belonging and offers quality social and recreational programs. 

One of the things that stood out to me is Camp Bonaventure, which is an awesome place for children and youth aged 4-17. Camp Bonaventure during the summer sounds like a blast, with outdoor adventures that promote teamwork and friendship.

You can become a Volunteer in Training (VIT) and provide guidance and inclusion assistance during programs. Or there’s the W.E.S.O.A.R! program, where you can lead weekend and evening activities for arts and crafts, sports, and movie nights.

And if you’re into organizing fun events, you can volunteer for their Special Events and help bring people together. It’s all about fostering joy and connection among the participants.

Pro tip:

Organize a community fundraiser or awareness event. This could be anything from a bake sale to a fun run—whatever suits your style! 

6. Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta

Media credit: hfhsouthernab

Website: http://www.habitatsouthernab.ca/ 

Address: 805 Manning Rd NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7M8, Canada

Contact details: +14032539331

Operating hours: 8 AM–4:30 PM

Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta provides affordable housing solutions for families in need. Since 1990, they’ve helped over 380 families and more than 1,100 children in the region. 

They let families purchase homes with no down payment and no interest, keeping monthly payments manageable at 25 to 30 percent of their income. It’s not just about homeownership – building community and stability.

You can join as a Construction Volunteer, working alongside skilled tradespeople to build homes. Or you can be a ReStore Volunteer, helping to sort and sell donated items in their nonprofit home improvement stores. 

There’s also a chance to become an Event Volunteer, playing a crucial role in organizing fundraising events. They have Women Build Events, where women learn construction skills while helping build homes. 

They celebrate milestones with families at Groundbreaking Ceremonies and Home Dedications. These events raise funds, foster community spirit, and raise awareness about the ongoing need for affordable housing.

Pro tip:

Lead a community event, like a neighborhood potluck or yard sale, to raise funds for them. It’s a fun way to engage friends and family while making a meaningful impact!

7. Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society

– Media credit: aarcs

Website: https://aarcs.ca/ 

Address: 5060 74 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2C 3C9, Canada

Contact details: +14032507377

Operating hours: 9 AM–5 PM

The Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS) was founded in 2006. It’s focused on rescuing and rehabilitating homeless animals across Alberta. Every year, they care for over 5,000 animals through various programs. 

In 2023 alone, they took in 1,218 dogs, 2,739 cats, and 162 small animals and facilitated a whopping 3,186 adoptions. Can you believe that?

Despite facing challenges like rising costs and lower adoption rates, AARCS remains dedicated to creating a compassionate world for all animals. They emphasize responsible care and only euthanize animals in cases of extreme suffering.

You can become a foster caregiver, provide temporary homes for needy animals, or volunteer to transport animals between shelters and veterinary appointments. The organization also needs help with fundraising events to support its programs.

One cool initiative is the “Recycle for Rescue” program, where you can drop off bagged cans and bottles at their shelters or sign up for pickups through Skip The Depot. This promotes recycling and generates funds that directly support the care of animals. 

Pro tip:

Consider participating in their “Recycle for Rescue” program. By collecting your empties and dropping them off at one of their shelters or scheduling a pickup, you can contribute to their cause while promoting sustainability in your community.

8. Youth Central

Media credit: youthcentralyyc

Website: https://youthcentral.com/ 

Address: 105 12 Ave SE Suite 820, Calgary, AB T2G 1A1, Canada

Contact details: +14032665448

Operating hours: 9 AM–4 PM

Youth Central empowers young people to become community leaders through volunteering. It’s cool that they’ve been around since 1993 and have grown so much, with over 1,500 young people involved in their programs. 

One of their initiatives, the Youth Volunteer Corps, is aimed at 12—to 18-year-olds and has seen a 40% increase in demand over the past year. That’s a big deal and shows how much young people want to positively impact their communities.

You can help decorate senior homes during the holidays, volunteer at children’s day camps, or even make dog toys for the Calgary Humane Society. These roles also help young volunteers develop essential skills like teamwork and communication.

They do seasonal projects like gift wrapping for seniors and ongoing initiatives like invasive species removal in parks. They even support youth-led projects by providing grants to help them realize their ideas. 

Pro tip:

Consider hosting a fundraising event or a supply drive at your school or local community center. You could gather supplies like art materials or pet toys and donate them directly to the organization. 

9. Grow Calgary

– Media credit: growcalgary

Website: http://growcalgary.ca/ 

Address: 5510 26 Ave NE, Calgary, AB T1Y 6S1, Canada

Operating hours: 10 AM–3 PM

Grow Calgary is a volunteer-run urban farm that aims to ensure everyone has access to fresh food. The farm grows various crops using sustainable farming practices and then donates the produce to local social agencies. 

They’ve greatly impacted by distributing thousands of pounds of fresh food each year. You can get your hands dirty as a Farm Volunteer, teach kids about farming as a Youth Educator, or help plan community events as an Event Coordinator. 

They have seasonal harvest festivals, workshops on composting and urban gardening, and even partnerships with local schools and organizations. It’s all about promoting community engagement and educating people about sustainable practices.

Pro tip:

Consider hosting a fundraising event in your neighborhood or workplace. This could be anything from a bake sale featuring locally sourced ingredients to a community potluck where attendees donate to Grow Calgary in exchange for a meal. 

10. Cerebral Palsy Association of Alberta

Media credit: barrierfreeab

Website: http://www.cpalberta.com/ 

Address: 12001 44 St SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4G9, Canada

Contact details: +18884778030

Operating hours: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

The Cerebral Palsy Association of Alberta (CPAA) provides support and hope for individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Its mission is to promote a life without limits and enhance the quality of life for its members. 

There are roles like Program Assistants who help facilitate activities like swimming and art classes. Event Volunteers also play crucial roles during fundraising events like the Annual Golf Without Limits Tournament and the Superhero StRoll. 

Fundraising Coordinators also work behind the scenes to raise essential funds for the organization’s programs. 

Events like the Annual Golf Without Limits Tournament combine fun with purpose, offering participants a golf day while supporting a great cause. At Superhero StRoll, participants can walk or roll any distance to celebrate the everyday heroes.

Let’s not forget about the Poker for a Cause tournaments, which bring together poker enthusiasts for an evening of fun while supporting individuals with disabilities.

Pro tip:

Consider organizing your FUNdraiser. Whether it’s a bake sale at your workplace or a community garage sale, every little bit helps! The CPAA encourages creative fundraising ideas that raise money and build awareness about cerebral palsy.
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