BeTheChangeYYC

BeTheChangeYYC Volunteer power we provide tangible necessities, systems navigation & advocacy to end homelessness We are a non profit, founded by Chaz Smith.

Walking the streets, back alleys and looking in the corners for peoples experiencing homelessness. This is a grassroots initiative started summer (2015) in Calgary, Alberta. Chaz experienced homelessness, eventually gaining housing and later working in the homeless serving sector. He brings this lived experience along with the gained professionalism to fuel the creation and help sustain this non p

rofit. Our team of volunteer outreach workers hand out essentials of life to survive like food, water, clothing, hygiene, and encourage access to programs to obtain shelter, housing, treatment, and more. We hope to one day have an Outreach Center/ Resting stop for people experiencing homelessness to have a warm place to stay during the day. Accessible washrooms, laundry access, and computers for job searches. We also hope to one day have a housing program to help those in need. Volunteers are the ones who make up the heart and soul of the work we do. We thrive because of community support, and donations from people like you. DONATION WISHLIST

FOOD
-Prepackaged Lunch Snacks
-Drinks (bottled water, Juice boxes, Shelf stable Milk, Gatorade or other electrolyte
-Emergen-c
-Fresh Fruit
-Gum
-Ensure/Boost or Other Meal replacement
-Sandwich and Snack baggies
-Sandwich fillings (Meat, cheese, peanut butter and Jelly)
-$5 gift Cards (Tims, McDonalds) Especially to help someone in crisis escape the extreme cold

WINTER SURVIVAL AND OTHER SUPPLIES
-Emergency Blankets
-Hand/Toe Warmers
-Sleeping bags and blankets (New or Gently used, Freshly Laundered)
-Tarps
-Rope
-Tents
-Tent Poles
-Sleeping mats
-Large backpacks/ Hiking Backpacks

FROSTBITE CARE
-Unscented Lotion, Vaseline, Aloe
-Band-Aids, non-stick gauze
-med tape, tensor bandage (anything to wrap and protect frostbite
-Thermal socks
-Warm, Waterproof Gloves

HYGIENE
-Travel sized soap, shampoo, shaving creams
-deodorant
-razors
-dental supplies (Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash* Alcohol free)
-Wet-wipes
-Feminine hygiene (Pads, Tampons, Liners
-Lip Chap
-Lotion
-Nail Clippers/Files
-Q-tips
-Brushes/Combs
-Any First Aid Supplies

CLOTHING (*Please see Note)
- Men and Women's Underwear (new)
- Thermal layers, long johns (New Or Gently Used and Freshly Laundered)
- Winter Jackets (New Or Gently Used and Freshly Laundered)
- Snow Pants (New Or Gently Used and Freshly Laundered)
- Winter Boots (New or Gently Used)
-Sweaters (New Or Gently Used and Freshly Laundered)*Please see note below
-Socks
-Sweat pants

*PLEASE NOTE*

Due to capacity limitations we are only able to accept the above items. Please ensure all used items are in good condition and Freshly Laundered. Please no holes, big stains, broken zippers, etc. Also please no Children's items, dress clothes, Dresses, t-shirts, tank tops, jeans, trousers, Cardigans, skirts etc. we do not have capacity to store or distribute these items. Our mission is to keep people warm and alive, while other resources are unavailable. Don't worry, we do refer individuals to other Clothing services. Do you have clothing and other items that you want to donate that don't fit our needs, but you would like to go to an individual facing adversity. Check out The Good Neighbor Community Market


*DROPING OFF DONATIONS*
Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday And Sunday Between 4:30-5pm

The address is :316 7 Ave SE #2, Calgary, AB T2G 0J2
(Use 6 Ave to access parking lot next to Bow College Parkade)

When You get there Call 587-224-9114 Thank you so much Calgary, we hope you are inspired to also ! Donate Online: www.bethechangeyyc.org/donate

:https://give.crowdfunding.alberta.ca/e1vjj7?ref=ab_bAupk1_ab_7dk4nNwys8E7dk4nNwys8E

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BeTheChangeYYC

Email: [email protected]

05/24/2026

Athena on her way to outreach shift with BeTheChangeYYC came across 2 overdoses before even arriving to outreach. Thankfully, she had been trained by our team to administer naloxone, had witnessed overdose responses before, and was carrying her naloxone kit.

Every BeTheChangeYYC volunteer receives extensive training before joining outreach shifts. Our team also has access to mental health supports and therapy resources for the trauma they may experience while helping others. We believe in caring for our team as they care for the community. Volunteer or not, everyone matters!!

The reality is this crisis did not happen overnight. What we are witnessing on Calgary’s streets is the direct consequence of decades of underfunding detox, recovery, mental health, housing & addiction infrastructure. People need on-demand treatment options that lead to stability, recovery & housing.

We can help save lives in the moment. We must also continue advocating for meaningful long-term solutions. Because everyone’s mental health matters. Everyone’s safety matters. From bystanders, to outreach workers, to those experiencing addiction and homelessness themselves.

Together, we can make Calgary better.

Please consider donating to support the cause. BeTheChangeYYC relies heavily on volunteers and community donations to operate outreach 4 nights a week across Calgary.

🧡 Donate here ❤️
www.bethechangeyyc.org/donate

Today our outreach team at BeTheChangeYYC served 110 unhoused individuals across Calgary. ❤️Our teams conducted numerous...
05/24/2026

Today our outreach team at BeTheChangeYYC served 110 unhoused individuals across Calgary. ❤️

Our teams conducted numerous welfare checks, provided first aid support, distributed essential supplies, and connected individuals with referrals to housing, health, addiction, and community supports.

Thank you to every volunteer, donor, and supporter helping make this work possible. Because of you, we continue showing up for our community.

Learn about all the ways you can help:
www.bethechangeyyc.org

05/23/2026

“Karen McPherson, the operations director of BeTheChangeYYC, says the drug supply is being cut with veterinary sedatives, which has led to the spike in overdose responses, adding that it also makes naloxone less effective.

“Opioids are often mixed in with other substances. So the naloxone buys a little bit of time in reversing the opioid, but it doesn’t reverse the sedative,” she said.

McPherson adds that her organization experienced unprecedented levels of demand in April, saying that for the first time, they had to administer naloxone four times in a four-hour shift.”

Donate to help: www.bethechangeyyc.org/donate

05/20/2026

We’re incredibly grateful to share that BeTheChangeYYC’s new HQ construction permit has officially been approved and work is now underway.

A huge thank you to our amazing partners at Build 360 for donating construction support to help transform our new space into a functional home base for our outreach teams. Your generosity and belief in this mission means so much.

Throughout this transition, our outreach services have not stopped!!! We do not plan to stop. Our teams continue to hit the streets each week providing food, water, clothing, hygiene supplies, referrals, and support to vulnerable Calgarians.

Thank you to everyone supporting this cause. We truly cannot help end cycles of homelessness without our community standing beside us. We hope to be completed our move at end of month.

Learn more or support our work:
www.BeTheChangeYYC.org

This weekend, our outreach teams served a total of 232 individuals across two shifts on Saturday and Sunday. ❤️Through b...
05/18/2026

This weekend, our outreach teams served a total of 232 individuals across two shifts on Saturday and Sunday. ❤️

Through boots-on-the-ground outreach, we provided food, water, clothing, hygiene supplies, and program referrals focused on helping individuals end their cycles of homelessness and reconnect with supports.

This work is only possible because of our volunteers, donors, community partners, and supporters who stand with us every step of the way. Thank you for helping us make a real difference in Calgary. 🙏

Want to learn more or support our mission?
👉 Visit: www.BeTheChangeYYC.org

♻️ Turn your recyclables into real impact for Calgary’s most vulnerable residents.By donating your bottles, cans, and re...
05/18/2026

♻️ Turn your recyclables into real impact for Calgary’s most vulnerable residents.

By donating your bottles, cans, and recyclables through SkipTheDepot, you’re directly helping support BeTheChangeYYC frontline homeless outreach program: providing food, clothing, hygiene supplies, crisis support, referrals, and life-saving outreach across Calgary.

It’s simple, free, and makes a difference. 💙

📦 Schedule your pickup today:
https://app.skipthedepot.com/btcttc

Use promo code: CHANGEYYC
and 100% goes to us! 🙏

Every bag helps us continue boots-on-the-ground outreach in our city. Thank you Calgary for standing with us. 🙏

Over the past several months, BeTheChangeYYC, has heard growing concern from community members & individuals experiencin...
05/13/2026

Over the past several months, BeTheChangeYYC, has heard growing concern from community members & individuals experiencing homelessness about increased enforcement and displacement in Calgary’s downtown core. The screen shot attached is one example of this.

Many people are asking an important question:

“Where are people supposed to go when there still are not enough housing options, treatment spaces, mental health supports, or safe places available?”

At BeTheChangeYYC, we believe public safety and compassionate outreach must work together, not against one another. We will take these concerns directly to fellow community members at Calgary Police Service Chief and Calgary Police Service.

Police are often responding within a difficult reality created by larger systemic gaps in housing, addiction care, mental health services, and poverty supports. These are not issues policing alone can solve.

That is why we continue advocating for:
🏡 More supportive and affordable housing
🧠 Expanded mental health and addiction services
💵 Increased investment in prevention and intervention outreach
⭕️ Stronger collaboration between outreach teams, healthcare, social agencies, and public safety partners

Our outreach teams continue to see firsthand that relationship-based engagement, trust, and early intervention can reduce crisis situations and help connect people to supports before emergency systems are needed.

We remain committed to constructive dialogue and collaboration with all partners working toward safer and healthier communities for everyone.

👉 If you can contribute to help our program serve folks in need, please consider donating online here: www.bethechangeyyc.org/donate

Sunday night's team headed out with support for folks dealing with homelessness in downtown Calgary
05/11/2026

Sunday night's team headed out with support for folks dealing with homelessness in downtown Calgary

Our team lead Josh has been out 3 times this week with 3 fabulous volunteer teams, helping over 350 folks with a snack, ...
05/07/2026

Our team lead Josh has been out 3 times this week with 3 fabulous volunteer teams, helping over 350 folks with a snack, resources and a bottle of water.

If you would like to help us help folks who are dealing with homelessness please visit us at BeTheChangeYYC.org

 Our fabulous volunteer team and wonderful team lead Garth headed out downtown on Wednesday night, bringing some essenti...
04/30/2026



Our fabulous volunteer team and wonderful team lead Garth headed out downtown on Wednesday night, bringing some essentials and resources to people living unhoused in our city. We are very grateful for our dedicated, compassionate team ❤️

Josh and our volunteers headed out on Tuesday night, visiting folks around the downtown area and providing some snacks a...
04/30/2026

Josh and our volunteers headed out on Tuesday night, visiting folks around the downtown area and providing some snacks and water and connecting people with resources.

Living unhoused is hard on people; we're grateful to alleviate their circumstances a little, lend a compassionate ear and connect folks with resources they need

Address

Calgary, AB

Opening Hours

Tuesday 4:30pm - 9:30pm
Wednesday 4:30pm - 9:30pm
Saturday 2pm - 7pm
Sunday 4:30pm - 9:30pm

Telephone

+15872249114

Website

https://donate.stripe.com/dR6g0c2koduF4bS144

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