Volunteering in Calgary

With such a large city there are tons of opportunities to volunteer, narrowing it down to only fifteen is extremely difficult. There are a few things to help narrow it down including:

Commitment level: There are many volunteer programs that are long term where you commit to a couple hours every week or a couple days every month for an ongoing basis. Other programs you can sign up for a single night or couple hours during the day. One of the best ‘short commitment’ volunteer programs you can do as an individual or with the family is 

Click each of the headlines to be taken directly to the websites volunteering pages. 

An Evening at the Mustard Seed

Or something more long term with this great cause, the options are there for those looking to volunteer short and long term at the Mustard Seed. From their FAQ's page: 

Long Term Volunteer Opportunities Individuals
These opportunities are for volunteers aged 18 years of age and older. They include one-on-one
interaction with our guests and clients. Volunteers must commit to a minimum of a 4-month
commitment and a regular weekly shift. Volunteers must also complete an interview,
orientation and a vulnerable sector check.

• Shelter Helper
• Sorting Centre Helper
• Computer Lab Supervisor
• Cooking Club Assistant
• Neighbour Centre Host
• Faith Companion

Casual Individual Volunteer Opportunities
These opportunities are available for volunteers as young as 16 years of age. Volunteers will be
monitored directly by staff and support with more behind the scenes work. These shifts can be
signed up for by the individual as much or as little as they desire. Once you have completed a
volunteer profile in CERVIS a Volunteer Coordinator will review your application and send
activation so that you can sign-up for shifts.

• Shelter Kitchen Helper
• Special Events

Group Volunteer Opportunities
Group opportunities are available for volunteers as young as 12 years old with adult
accompaniment at select locations. Groups support with completing large tasks and our main
yearly events that require a lot of man power. If you are interested in volunteering with a group
on a one-off or regular commitment please fill in our group booking form here:
https://theseed.wufoo.com/forms/group-booking-form

• Donation Sorting
• Kitchen Meal Prep and Serving
• Special Events

Fire Cadet Program

The Calgary Fire Department offers youth volunteer programs which provide high school students the opportunity to build skills and learn about the requirements and demands of what it takes to work as a firefighter. This program offers life teaching skills including community involvement, teamwork, pride, respect, and leadership. 

Calgary Fire Cadet Program requirements: 

Be aged 15 to 18 years old.
You must be enrolled in a high school in Calgary or the surrounding areas: Cochrane, Okotoks, Crossfield, Airdrie, High River, Strathmore, Balzac, ETC
Make a commitment to an eighteen month program.
Have an enthusiastic personality with a passion to learn! 

Calgary Police Services Volunteer Opportunities 

The Calgary police are always looking for volunteers to assist them with a multitude of different opportunities.  If you have an interest city government or local development, the municipality is always looking for great volunteers to help make this city better for all. 

If you were looking to get on the police force or become fireman/woman having volunteer hours on your resume can be very favourable!

City Clerks and Volunteer tour Guides 

If you're passionate about city government or local development and have a passion for engaging the community and educating citizens, this is a great place to start! Talking to people from kids to seniors, you'll share your passion for the city and commit a couple of hours or more per week to sharing your knowledge to the city while meeting new people and gaining new skills.

Calgary Humane Society

There's no better way to feeling loved than helping out with local animal shelters. The humane society relies on thousands of volunteer hours every year to achieve the enormous task they take on everyday to help animals in need. 

What makes this place special? 

Since 2013, Calgary Humane Society is proud to be one of the only open-admission animal shelters in North America able to say this simple phrase:

“At Calgary Humane Society, every single healthy and adoptable animal is able to stay until they are adopted.”

Calgary Humane Society is an open-admission shelter. This means one simple thing: We never say no. We never turn an animal away.

Calgary Public Library

There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer at one of the many public libraries in Calgary, but it could be especially rewarding for those younger volunteers out there) The Calgary public library has multiple scholarship awards for those aged between age 17-25 who volunteer over 100 hours and are actively enrolled in high school or post secondary. 

AARCS. -Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society

Pathway and River Cleanups

If you are passionate about the environment Keep it local / Improve your Neighbourhood: Remember that you do not need an already organized volunteer group to do a good deed.

Calgary’s Adopt-a-Rink 

is a winter program in which volunteers help flood and maintain existing community pleasure skating rinks throughout the city https://www.calgary.ca/csps/parks/volunteer/adopt-a-rink-program.html for a list of adopted rinks or call 311 to start a new rink in your community.
Looking to get outside and meet new people: One of my favourite Calgary Volunteer programs that checks a lot of the boxes above is

Speaking of local community initiatives: https://growcalgary.ca Canadas largest urban community farm. Talk about being able to meet A LOT of people, get outside, get your hands dirty and give back all at the same time!

Other Calgary Volunteer Resources 

As you can see there are so many wonderful options that can fit into what you can and want to give. Volunteering can be so rewarding not only for the recipients but also for your city and you and your crew! Below are a couple other great links that have some multiple other volunteer programs / ideas if nothing above triggered you to sign up and get out there and do something good!

Volunteer Opportunities Near You

https://www.volunteerconnector.org

Youth Volunteer Opportunities

https://informationalberta.ca/public/common/viewsublist.do?cartld=1000001

START YOUR OWN CAUSE!

Starting your own volunteer group allows you to not only focus on where you feel it is most needed but you can structure it to work with you and your schedule! Joining your neighbourhood or community Facebook or communication page and rallying others within your neighbourhood to volunteer within your neighbourhood is a great way to make a difference, help others, and meet new people!  From shovelling walks, spring/fall clean up, lawn mowing, picking up litter or a community garage sale to raise money for a good cause.