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]

🎟️ Support our 50/50 raffle and help make a difference!As a nonprofit, we rely on the generosity of our community to kee...
08/18/2026

🎟️ Support our 50/50 raffle and help make a difference!

As a nonprofit, we rely on the generosity of our community to keep our work going. Every ticket helps provide vital support and services—and gives you a chance to take home half the pot!

Your support means more than you know. đź’›

Get your tickets today: https://rafflebox.ca/raffle/labourday

Rain again in downtown Calgary. Volunteers Tanya and Claire headed out with Team Lead Graham with extra gear for rain an...
08/13/2026

Rain again in downtown Calgary. Volunteers Tanya and Claire headed out with Team Lead Graham with extra gear for rain and dry sweaters. We attempt to help our folks weather all kinds of inclement weather, not only with supplies but to share daily survival tips for sanity, hygiene and comfort. Rainy weather means wet clothes and even in August, the nights here get cold enough to bring about cases of hypothermia. Street outreach teams carry the supplies and advice to help folks get through the cloudy weather. To help us out on resupplying our winter clothing stock, please consider donating clean used outerwear and accessories. Details at bethechangeyyc.org/donate up

🌧️ For our unhoused neighbours, rain isn’t just uncomfortable.When you have a home, getting caught in the rain usually m...
08/12/2026

🌧️ For our unhoused neighbours, rain isn’t just uncomfortable.

When you have a home, getting caught in the rain usually means coming inside, changing into dry clothes, and warming up.

When you’re living outside, there may be no “inside.”

Wet clothes stay wet.
Wet shoes stay wet.
Blankets and sleeping bags get soaked.
And once you’re cold and wet, getting warm and dry again can be incredibly difficult.

That’s why on rainy days, we do what we can to help — handing out ponchos, HotHands, dry clothing, socks, blankets and other essentials that can provide some protection, warmth and comfort.

These may seem like simple things, but when you’re facing hours — or an entire night — outside in the rain, being dry matters. Being warm matters.

If you’d like to help, donations of rain ponchos, new socks, warm clothing and hand warmers are always put to good use. 💙

A community member recently shared:“I overdosed one time and needed three doses of naloxone and CPR at a train station…a...
08/11/2026

A community member recently shared:

“I overdosed one time and needed three doses of naloxone and CPR at a train station…and had my life saved. I am five months clean off opioids today.”

Five months. A life saved. A future still being written.l!

Naloxone temporarily reverses an opioid poisoning, providing critical time for emergency help to arrive. It is safe, effective and can mean the difference between life and death. Always call 911 when naloxone is administered and stay with the person until help arrives.

Get a free injectable naloxone kit from BeTheChangeYYC or a participating Alberta pharmacy or community site. Kits can be picked up anonymously, and training is available wherever kits are provided.

Carry naloxone. Learn how to use it. Help save a life.

đź“© Contact us at BeTheChangeYYC to receive a free kit or learn how to respond to an opioid poisoning, for you, your business, or community.

08/10/2026

🚨 AISH & ADAP: ALBERTA, WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THESE NUMBERS.

We tested the Government of Alberta's own AISH & ADAP Disability Benefit Estimator using $1,072/month in employment income - an amount that was previously fully exempt for a single AISH recipient.

What the estimator showed raises serious concerns ...

08/10/2026

POV: You stopped scrolling and helped change someone’s life. ❤️

Homelessness isn’t just something we should talk about, it’s something we can take action on.

Your donation helps BeTheChangeYYC continue showing up on the streets, connecting people experiencing homelessness with essential supplies, support, resources, and pathways forward.

Every donation matters. Every person matters. Every action creates change.

❤️ Donate today: www.bethechangeyyc.org

Be the reason someone feels seen.
Be the reason someone gets support.
Be the change.

Volunteers make the world go ’round. 🌎❤️And at BeTheChangeYYC, they’re the reason we can keep showing up.Night after nig...
08/10/2026

Volunteers make the world go ’round. 🌎❤️

And at BeTheChangeYYC, they’re the reason we can keep showing up.

Night after night, our incredible volunteers hit the streets of Calgary, pushing wagons, handing out food, clothing and essential supplies, connecting people with resources, and most importantly, reminding our unhoused neighbours that someone cares.

You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need compassion, a willingness to help, and the courage to show up.

Because when good people step forward, change happens.

Think you’ve got what it takes to join our crew?

👉 Visit www.BeTheChangeYYC.org and fill out a Volunteer Application today.

Come walk with us. Come see your city differently. Come Be The Change. ❤️

We are super fortunate this evening to have three  former AHASTI Emergency medical responders on our team tonight. We’re...
08/10/2026

We are super fortunate this evening to have three former AHASTI Emergency medical responders on our team tonight. We’re grateful for our relationship with AHASTI and for opportunities to help future paramedical professionals better understand homelessness through a community-based, human-centred lens.
By bringing frontline experience into paramedicine education, we can help strengthen understanding, reduce stigma, and encourage approaches rooted in dignity, compassion, and connection.
Strong communities are built when sectors learn from one another—and when the people at the centre of the work are seen first as people.

⛱️🌞Summertime and the living is...Lucky! We're running a summer fun 50/50 draw until Labor Day weekend! Buy some tickets...
08/08/2026

⛱️🌞Summertime and the living is...Lucky! We're running a summer fun 50/50 draw until Labor Day weekend! Buy some tickets and watch the pot grow alongside your tomatoes🍀! Proceeds will go to a fall headquarters restock, to prepare our Outreach shifts for the cooler winter dehydration There are so many ways to help support BTC but this is the one that pays you back! Please check it out at: www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/labourday or visit our website at bethechangeyyc.org/donate

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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