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]

An absolute dream team stepped out into the rain tonight to meet our unhoused clients where they're at; in the heart of ...
06/17/2026

An absolute dream team stepped out into the rain tonight to meet our unhoused clients where they're at; in the heart of stormy downtown Calgary. The fellas will be handing out snacks, bottled water, dry clothing, socks, and rain ponchos as well as delivering resource navigation, weather reports and, always, good vibes! Support our work by donating any of the items listed in this post or check us out at bethechangeyyc.org/donations to select a way to help us, help the city's most vulnerable.

06/16/2026

Because of your support, BeTheChangeYYC has continued operating throughout this transition, ensuring we can keep serving those in need while helping make Calgary’s streets safer for everyone.

A special thank you to ONE Transport Group⁠ (shipexpedite.com) for helping make our move safe, efficient, and stress-free. Your team was incredible, and we truly couldn’t have done it without you.

We would also like to thank Build 360 for generously donating construction time, expertise, and materials to help transform our new space into a functional headquarters that meets the unique needs of our outreach program.

This move represents much more than a new office. It represents a community coming together to support a mission that serves Calgary’s most vulnerable residents.

It’s partnerships like these that make the world a little brighter for everyone.

Thank you for believing in our mission. Together, we are changing lives. ❤️

last night was outreach shift in the books! ❤️A special shout-out to our newest EMRs on their very first outreach shift ...
06/16/2026

last night was outreach shift in the books! ❤️

A special shout-out to our newest EMRs on their very first outreach shift with BeTheChangeYYC. Thank you for stepping up to serve our community with compassion, professionalism, and care. We’re also grateful to Alberta Health and Safety Training Institute Inc. for helping train and inspire the next generation of emergency responders.

last night, we heard a consistent need for water, baby wipes, juice boxes, and shoes. If you’re looking for a way to help, these items are in high demand right now.

Almost 50% of all the individuals we connected with either received a referral to a program or service they were previously unaware of, or received a housing check-in and support. These conversations matter and can be life-changing.

Thank you to everyone who supports this work through volunteering, donations, partnerships, and advocacy. We couldn’t do it without you.

📍 NEW HQ LOCATION
840 – 7th Avenue SW, Calgary

To drop off donations, pull into the rear parking lot at 840 7th Ave SW and either:
• Let front desk security know you’re donating to BeTheChangeYYC, or
• Call our outreach phone at 587-224-9114 and a Team Lead will meet you.

🕒 Donation Drop-Off Times
Tuesday, Wednesday & Sunday: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

🎒 Most Needed Items
• Pre-packaged snacks
• Granola bars
• Fruit snacks
• Fruit cups
• Bottled water
• Juice boxes
• Wet wipes
• Shoes
• Tarps
• Rain ponchos
• Emergency foil blankets

💙 Financial donations are always appreciated:
www.bethechangeyyc.org/donate

📧 E-transfers can be sent to:
[email protected]
(Auto-deposit enabled)

Together, we are helping people access essentials, housing supports & pathways forward.

06/14/2026

Our team took to the streets of Calgary last night, providing much-needed support to individuals experiencing homelessness. we will be back at it again tonight.

Throughout the shift, we completed dozens of referrals, housing check-ins, wellness checks & distributed essential supplies. While temperatures may not yet be at their summer peak, many people are already experiencing dehydration, and there was a consistent need for water across the community.

Every bottle of water, every conversation, every referral, and every act of compassion makes a difference.

Thank you to everyone who supports our mission through volunteering, donations, partnerships, and encouragement. We couldn’t do this work without you.

❤️ Together, we are helping create pathways out of homelessness.

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

Tonight's outreach shift caught a little rain but showed up with snacks, some hygiene and clothing essentials and resour...
06/10/2026

Tonight's outreach shift caught a little rain but showed up with snacks, some hygiene and clothing essentials and resources for people dealing with homelessness downtown.

We are also pretty proud of our new location!

Say Hi if you see our outreach team

06/07/2026

Today marked a major milestone for BeTheChangeYYC! We completed a critical step in moving into our new HQ.

A huge thank you to ONE Transport Group for donating trucks! All the incredible volunteers who donated their time, energy, vehicles & time to make today’s move-in happen.

Tomorrow, we will proudly begin outreach operations from our new HQ at:

📍 1700, 840 – 7th Avenue SW, Calgary

To every volunteer, donor, partner & supporter who helped make this possible. We can’t thank you enough. This new chapter belongs to all of you.

❤️ Together, we are changing lives.

Learn more or support the cause:
www.bethechangeyyc.org

BeTheChangeYYC HQ is finally moving into its new location tomorrow at 840 7th Ave SW, starting at 10am. Thank you to eve...
06/06/2026

BeTheChangeYYC HQ is finally moving into its new location tomorrow at 840 7th Ave SW, starting at 10am.

Thank you to everyone supporting! This movement to help folks experiencing homelessness only happens because of your support!

We truly are community powered!

www.bethechangeyyc.org/donate

Donations via transfer can be sent to: [email protected]

When the rain comes - folks experiencing homelessness head to corners, andlips to stay dry. Even getting slightly wet ca...
06/04/2026

When the rain comes - folks experiencing homelessness head to corners, and
lips to stay dry. Even getting slightly wet can agitate cuts/infections, and during the cold nights lead to hypothermia.

Our outreach teams don’t just connect folks to programming - we also provide the essentials of life to stay dry & warm. Like rain ponchos, jackets, dry socks, and even light medical supplies for those cuts and scrapes.

To help please visit our website: www.bethechangeyyc.org

🌧️ A rainy shift, but good weekend shifts❤️This weekend, our outreach team had the privilege of sharing a farewell shift...
06/02/2026

🌧️ A rainy shift, but good weekend shifts❤️

This weekend, our outreach team had the privilege of sharing a farewell shift with Kara Seno as she prepares for her next chapter on the journey of becoming Dr. Kara Seno.

Kara has dedicated countless hours volunteering with BeTheChangeYYC, serving some of Calgary’s most vulnerable community members with compassion, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to helping others. Whether providing care, offering support, or simply taking the time to listen, she has made a meaningful impact on both the people we serve and the volunteers who have worked alongside her.

While we are sad to see her move on, we are incredibly proud of all she has accomplished and excited to see the difference she will continue to make in the world.

On behalf of everyone at BeTheChangeYYC, thank you, Kara, for your service, your kindness, and your dedication to community. We wish you nothing but success, happiness, and fulfillment in the years ahead.

Once a member of the BeTheChangeYYC family, always a member of the BeTheChangeYYC family. 💙

Please join us in wishing Kara all the best on her next adventure! 👏🎉

As our packing continues, our team lead Garth and two volunteers are bringing essentials like water to folks on the stre...
05/27/2026

As our packing continues, our team lead Garth and two volunteers are bringing essentials like water to folks on the street while Kyla and another two volunteers stage our supplies for our upcoming move 🚛


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

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