The Ukrainian diaspora in Calgary numbers over 70,000 people and includes three dozen parishes, cultural societies, business associations, and charitable initiatives. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you get involved in community life, choose a volunteer or creative path, and find friends and professional contacts.

1. Start with umbrella organizations

Organization What it offers How to join
Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Calgary Branch (UCC-Calgary) Coordinates 30+ Ukrainian organizations, holds rallies and festivals Fill out an application at uccalberta.ca; visit Community Updates (409 9 Ave NE)
Ukrainian & Canadian Professional & Business Association (UCPBA) Networking breakfasts, mentoring, student grants Submit a form at ucpbacalgary.ca; membership fee $50/year ($10 for students)
Ukrainian Women Advancement Association (UWAA) Mentoring programs for newly arrived women, career workshops Send a letter to [email protected]

Membership in one of these organizations gives you access to Telegram/Slack groups and an events calendar.

2. Attend cultural events and festivals

Event When and where Why you should go
Calgary Ukrainian Festival First Saturday–Sunday in June, Acadia Rec Complex Dancing, fair, volunteering; registration at [email protected]
YYC Ukrainian Food & Culture Market Monthly, various locations Delicious food and crafts; networking with producers
Ukrainian Carol Festival December, St Stephen’s Church Gala concert of choirs; open recruitment of singers without auditions

3. Volunteer opportunities

  1. Calgary4Ukraine
  • Host registry, logistics for new arrivals
  • Form at calgary4ukraine.com
  1. St Stephen Protomartyr Donation Centre
  1. St Vladimir’s Sobor
  • Support for festivals, workshops
  1. Centre for Newcomers / ISC
  • Translation, assistance with government services

Many roles require knowledge of Ukrainian and English.

4. Learn and practice Ukrainian

School / course Format Cost
Ridna Shkola Saturday school (children aged 4–18) $450/year (discount for second child)
St Stephen’s Evening Classes Evening courses I–IV (Zoom) $140 adults / $80 teenagers
Language Trainers Individual or corporate lessons from $45/hour

Language courses — a quick way to join the community and make new friends.

5. Arts and sports

Dance groups

Group Age How to register
Barvinok Ukrainian Dance Society 3–70 years old Online registration at barvinok.ca
Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Society 5+ years old “Join the Tryzub Family” form at tryzub.ca

Children of evacuees are eligible for scholarships — ask the coordinators for more information.

Sports clubs

  • Ukrainian Sports Association “Tryzub”: soccer, volleyball, badminton (Facebook @tryzub.sport)
  • UNF Calgary – Ukrainian National Youth Federation (UNYF): camps, volunteer projects

6. Religious communities as community hubs

Parish Features Contacts
St Vladimir’s Ukrainian Orthodox Sobor Church, concert hall, Saturday school 3316 28 Ave SW
St Stephen Protomartyr Ukrainian Catholic Church Volunteer hub, Telegram job channel 4903 45 St SW
Assumption Ukrainian Catholic Parish Ridna Shkola, nativity scenes 704 6 St NE

After the liturgy, “Agape coffee” is often served — an ideal opportunity to meet activists.

7. Business networking

  1. UCPBA Business Mixers — monthly, speed-networking format + presentations by entrepreneurs
  2. Ukrainian Business Map YYC — add your company for free via the Google form on the UCPBA website
  3. UWAA Mentor-Mentee Program — help with CVs, interviews, and career development

8. Digital resources and social media

Channel Content
Telegram @UAnewcomers_StStephens Job openings, events, humanitarian aid
Facebook Calgary4Ukraine Housing search, transportation, collection of items
Instagram @yycukrainianmarket Market announcements, volunteer opportunities
Meetup Ukrainians in YYC Conversation clubs, hikes, movie nights

9. Quick roadmap (30 days)

Week Actions
1 Attend Sunday liturgy at St Vladimir’s and stay for Agape coffee
2 Register as a volunteer for the Calgary Ukrainian Festival (volunteer@…)
3 Attend the UCPBA Business Mixer and add your profile to the Ukrainian Business Map
4 Start a language course and enroll your child in the Barvinok or Tryzub dance group

Once you have completed these steps, you will receive an invitation to join large-scale projects and consultations.

Conclusions

  1. Choose an entry point: UCC-Calgary, a parish, or a language school.
  2. Become a volunteer: festivals, churches, charity centers.
  3. Learn new skills: language, dance, business.
  4. Support newcomers: housing, translation, mentoring.

This way, you will not only preserve your Ukrainian identity, but also become an active member of one of the largest Ukrainian communities in Canada.