BeTheChangeYYC
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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 profit. 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
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. Thank you so much Calgary, we hope you are inspired to also #BETHECHANGEYYC! 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]
09/09/2026
The sun is out, and Tuesday night is looking good! ☀️
Come spend the evening building community, making new friends, and helping BeTheChangeYYC connect with people across Calgary. Outreach is meaningful work—but it’s also welcoming, social, and genuinely fun. Every shift brings new conversations, new experiences, and a chance to be part of something bigger.
Ready to join us? Sign up through our volunteer page:
https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/8788cc28-f618-4135-baa0-8684a559fbe1/1
09/07/2026
🎉 Congratulations to our Labour Day 50/50 Winner! 🎉
A huge congratulations to Ramona Rupert, winner of the BeTheChangeYYC Labour Day 50/50 Draw! 🥳
🏆 Winning Ticket: C-1034
💰 Prize: $1,105 (50% of the $2,210 jackpot)
Thank you to every single person who purchased a ticket, shared our raffle, and helped spread the word. Every ticket sold helps us continue providing food, water, clothing, hygiene supplies, first aid, naloxone, and connections to housing, addiction treatment, mental health supports, and other critical services for people experiencing homelessness in Calgary.
As a small, community-funded nonprofit with no ongoing government funding, your support truly makes this work possible. ❤️
Congratulations again, Ramona, and thank you to our incredible community for standing with BeTheChangeYYC. Together, we’re creating meaningful change—one act of kindness at a time.
🌈 Feeling lucky? Our BeTheChangeYYC 50/50 draw happens at 11:59 tonight!
A little rain and chilly weather won’t stop our Sunday-night outreach team from showing up with warm supplies, snacks and plenty of friendly faces. Pride is all about community, care and looking out for one another—and that spirit carries on all year long. 🧡
Grab your tickets before tonight’s draw for your chance to win while helping us keep the outreach van stocked and rolling!
09/06/2026
🚨 LAST DAY! SALES CLOSE TONIGHT! 🚨
We’re in the final hours of BeTheChangeYYC’s Summer of Change: Labour Day 50/50 — and we’ve reached $1,810 and counting! ☀️🎟️
💰 Current winner’s share: $905
⏰ Sales close TONIGHT
❤️ Proceeds support BeTheChangeYYC’s frontline homeless outreach in Calgary.
Can Calgary help us push the jackpot past $2,000 before time runs out?
Every ticket helps us continue providing food, water, clothing, hygiene supplies, first aid, advocacy and connections to housing, treatment and other supports for Calgarians experiencing homelessness.
🎟️ GET YOUR TICKETS:
https://rafflebox.ca/raffle/labourday
Already have yours? Please share this post. It costs nothing and helps us reach more people during these final hours. ❤️
Someone is going to win. Why not you?
☀️ Summer of Change: Labour Day 50/50 Draw ☀️ ☀️ Summer of Change: Labour Day 50/50 Draw ☀️
🏳️🌈 Come visit BeTheChangeYYC at the Pride Market today!
Stop by our booth and:
🌈 Get a BeTheChangeYYC Pride button by donation
🎟️ Watch our Labour Day 50/50 jackpot grow live
❤️ Learn more about the important work we do supporting people experiencing homelessness in Calgary
👋 Meet our team and say hello!
Every button, raffle ticket, donation and conversation helps us continue meeting people where they’re at and connecting them with essential supplies, support and pathways forward.
We’d love to see you today! 🏳️🌈❤️
09/04/2026
☀️ ONLY 2 DAYS LEFT! ☀️
Our Summer of Change: Labour Day 50/50 is almost over — and the jackpot is already at $1,260 and growing! 🎟️❤️
💰 Current jackpot: $1,260
🏆 Winner takes 50% - currently $630!
⏰ Sales end in just 2 days!
Every ticket purchased helps support BeTheChangeYYC’s frontline street outreach for Calgarians experiencing homelessness — providing food, water, clothing, hygiene supplies, first aid and connections to critical services.
For approximately $3.57, we can help one person access our outreach services.
🎟️ Get your tickets before time runs out:
https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/labourday
Win big. Give back. Help create change. ❤️
Please share this post — even if you can’t purchase a ticket, sharing helps us reach someone who can!
09/04/2026
FRESH PRESSED BUTTONS!
Coming to the Calgary Pride Market near you!
Visit the BeTheChangeYYC table to get a button, enter our draws, meet our volunteers, and support our mission.
This is why programs like BeTheChangeYYC are so important.
We help keep people alive, supported and well enough until the services they need become available.
The sad reality is that many people experiencing homelessness do want help. But housing, detox, treatment, mental health care and other critical supports can be weeks or even months away.
People still need food, water, hygiene, clothing, medical supports, advocacy & human connection while they wait.
That gap matters. Survival matters.
We meet people where they are and help keep them connected to a path forward until the next door opens.
09/03/2026
How do you prefer your Outreach Team—sweet, spicy, or a little bit of both? 🍯🌶️
Graham, Armaan and Nicole hand out the candy and encouragement our clients need on Tuesdays. Our Wednesday night team of Garth and Luke makes our grounded, street-level approach look too cool 😎. And we’re grateful for both!
Weekdays are about more than getting through the night. They’re also when resource navigation happens—making plans for the week, and working toward a better tomorrow.
Our trained outreach teams have the skills to help people with what they need tonight while also helping them plan for the days ahead.
One of BTC’s greatest strengths is the diversity of our volunteers and leaders. Each person brings their own style, perspective, lived experience, personality, and expertise. That gives us more ways to build trust, solve problems, navigate resources, and support people through whatever the night—and the week ahead—may bring.
Some conversations need patience and gentleness. Others need energy, humour, confidence, or a direct approach. Our teams bring all of that because our people are different—and that makes us stronger 🧡
Join us on our mission.
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Opening Hours
| Tuesday | 4:30pm - 9:30pm |
| Wednesday | 4:30pm - 9:30pm |
| Saturday | 2pm - 7pm |
| Sunday | 4:30pm - 9:30pm |