What organizations support Ukrainians in Calgary?

The Ukrainian community in Calgary has deep historical roots and a well-developed network of organizations that provide comprehensive support to both long-time residents and newcomers. The Ukrainian community in Calgary numbers over 77,000 people, representing 6.4% of the city's population, making it one of the largest Ukrainian communities in Canada.

Central Support Organizations

Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) - Calgary Branch

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) Calgary Branch is the main umbrella organization representing over 30 Ukrainian organizations in the city. The UCC Calgary works to promote Ukrainian culture and language among both Ukrainians and non-Ukrainians. The organization's main functions include representing the interests of Ukrainians at all levels of government, assisting immigrants, and promoting cultural development.

The UCC Calgary office is located at 409 9th Avenue Northeast, and the organization regularly hosts large community events, including the annual “Ukrainian Day in the Park.” In 2024, this event attracted over 3,500 visitors to Ukrainian Pioneers Park.

Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Alberta Provincial Council (UCC-APC)

The UCC-APC is a provincial organization that coordinates the activities of Ukrainian organizations throughout Alberta. It has created a special information resource for Ukrainians arriving in Alberta, providing support with housing issues via email at [email protected].

The organization also maintains a provincial Telegram group in Ukrainian to disseminate up-to-date information about available services and support for Ukrainians in Alberta.

Religious and cultural centers

St. Vladimir's Church

St. Vladimir's Church is the largest Ukrainian Orthodox church in Calgary and the center of numerous community initiatives. The church is located at 404 Meredith Road NE and brings together many support organizations:

  • Ukrainian Humanitarian Aid Committee, which organizes a social support network for Ukrainian evacuees
  • Ukrainian Museum of Canada - Calgary Collection
  • Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada (UWAC)
  • Mykola Vorona Library and Archives
  • Sadok Preschool

The church offers free English courses with volunteers, organizes conversation clubs, and answers general questions about Calgary. The church also supports the Social Support Network program, which includes medical assistance, educational services, and employment support.

St. Stephen the First Martyr Church

St. Stephen the First Martyr Church is the leading Ukrainian Catholic church in Calgary. Located at 4903 45 St SW, the church actively supports new Ukrainian arrivals through a special coordinator, Anastasia Girsanovich.

The church has created its own Telegram channel for newcomers with current job openings, event announcements, and verified news. The church also runs a Donation Center where newcomers can obtain necessary household items through coordinator Doris Watson.

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is located in Ukrainian Pioneers Park at 704 6 St NE and is a central point for religious and Ukrainian cultural activities in the city. The church offers free language courses through volunteers and collaborates with other organizations to support newcomers.

Immigration and Settlement Services

Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS)

CCIS is one of the largest organizations providing settlement services to Ukrainians in Calgary. The organization offers a wide range of services, including:

  • Ukrainian Employment Project (UEP) — a 45-hour training program in Ukrainian and English for people with low English proficiency (CLB 0-4)
  • Family support and educational services
  • Employment assistance

CCIS is also a partner in the Ukrainian Rural Attraction Program (URAAP), which helps Ukrainian newcomers find jobs and move to rural communities in Alberta through comprehensive support services.

Immigrant Services Calgary (ISC)

ISC actively supports Ukrainians through coordinated efforts with community partners. Over the past year, ISC has helped more than 1,500 refugees from around the world through this program. The organization also coordinates with other agencies to collect donations and distribute resources.

Gateway Association

Gateway Association offers special orientation sessions for newcomers from Ukraine. The program includes an overview of Canada and Calgary, information about services available to newcomers from Ukraine, and an introduction to Gateway. The organization acts as a personal guide, helping each newcomer through their unique journey.

Centre for Newcomers

The Centre for Newcomers provides comprehensive settlement services and is part of the provincial support program for Ukrainian evacuees. The organization offers the Ukrainian Evacuees English Program (UEEP) with levels ranging from CLB 2 to CLB 6, including online and in-person classes.

Calgary Welcome Centre

The Calgary Welcome Centre offers specialized services for Ukrainian refugees and immigrants:

  • English language training at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels
  • Life skills courses including emotional resilience, personal finance, and business start-up
  • Access to local community resources

The centre is open every Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Room 24, 833 44 Street SE.

Humanitarian organizations

Ukrainians of Calgary Association (UOCA)

UOCA is a non-profit organization created by volunteers from Calgary to provide humanitarian aid to people in Ukraine. The organization has already spent over $100,000 on medical supplies and sent donations worth over $150,000. UOCA's primary goal is to purchase, deliver, and distribute medical supplies and humanitarian aid to the most needy regions of Ukraine.

The organization operates through a complex logistics system, including fundraising, purchasing medical supplies at the best prices, shipping to Ukraine through multiple channels, and obtaining confirmation of delivery.

Professional and Business Associations

Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Association of Calgary (UCPBA)

UCPBA Calgary is a community of professionals and business owners of Ukrainian descent who support each other and the community through a variety of activities:

  • Dinners and events with guest speakers
  • Networking and mentoring
  • Student scholarships
  • Awards to deserving individuals
  • Support for local organizations and events through grants

The organization's mission is to provide programs for Canadians of Ukrainian descent that reinforce their shared heritage and make them valuable contributors to society.

Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce

The Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce has an active presence in Calgary and works to rebuild Ukraine through business connections. The organization has over 200 members across Canada and Ukraine and over 50 government and business partners. The Chamber supports strategic projects in infrastructure, energy, and agriculture and provides expert guidance for business development.

Cultural and Educational Organizations

Calgary Ukrainian Festival

The Calgary Ukrainian Festival is an annual event celebrating Ukrainian culture and heritage. The festival includes traditional Ukrainian songs and dances, arts and costumes, and delicious cuisine. The 16th annual festival is scheduled for June 2026 at the Acadia Recreation Complex.

The festival offers:

  • Delicious Ukrainian food
  • Ukrainian arts and crafts
  • The best Ukrainian beer and vodka
  • Shows and performances
  • Live demonstrations and children's activities

Ukrainian schools and educational programs

Calgary has a well-developed system of Ukrainian educational institutions:

  • Ridna Shkola of the Church of the Assumption
  • Ukrainian Calgary Pre-School
  • CYM Calgary
  • Cultural classes of St. Stephen's Church

Dance groups

There are numerous Ukrainian dance groups in Calgary for different age groups:

  • Barvinok Ukrainian Dance Society — adults and youth
  • Suzirya Ukrainian Dance Theatre — adults
  • Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Ensemble — adults and youth
  • Yalenka Ukrainian Dancers Society – School of Dance
  • Hopak Dance Ensemble and School of Dance

Government support

Alberta Provincial Support Program for Evacuees from Ukraine

The Alberta government has provided over $23 million in support to Ukraine, including:

  • $10 million for the Ukrainian World Congress's “Unite with Ukraine” campaign
  • $2.2 million for settlement and language services
  • $1 million for the Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal
  • $5 million to equip 5,000 members of the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces

Alberta Supports

Alberta Supports provides 24/7 support in Ukrainian and over 100 other languages. Contact numbers:

  • Toll-free in Alberta: 1-877-644-9992
  • 24-hour emergency financial support centre: 1-866-644-5135

Emergency financial support is available to CUAET visa holders until July 31, 2027, and covers expenses for clothing, food, housing, appliance repairs, deposits, utilities, and other emergency items.

Employment and Education Support

Ukrainian Rural Attraction Program (URAAP)

URAAP is a joint initiative between AAISA and CCIS, funded by the Government of Alberta. The program helps Ukrainian newcomers in Calgary and Edmonton explore employment opportunities and successfully relocate to rural communities across Alberta. The project runs from April 2024 to March 2025.

Language programs

Many organizations provide language support to Ukrainians:

  • Care for Newcomers offers a “Survival English for CUAET Visa Holders” program
  • Drayton Valley & District Community Learning Association provides the “ELS Navigate” program
  • Grande Prairie Council for Lifelong Learning offers “Accessible English for Ukrainian Integration”
  • Grant MacEwan University offers “Essential English Language Skills”

Housing support

Several organizations coordinate housing support for Ukrainians:

  • Ukraine Safe Haven provides a national resource for housing options
  • Centre for Newcomers registers volunteers who can store household items through [email protected]
  • Women In Need Society accepts donations of gently used clothing, household items, and furniture

The Calgary Ukrainian community is a strong and well-organized support network that combines traditional cultural organizations with modern immigration services. This system provides comprehensive support from the first day of arrival to full integration into Canadian society, while preserving and celebrating Ukrainian cultural heritage. For newly arrived Ukrainians in Calgary, support is available in virtually all areas of life — from emergency humanitarian assistance to professional development and cultural enrichment.