How do I find volunteer organizations in Calgary?

There are many volunteer organizations in Calgary that provide assistance to people in need. You can not only ask for help from these organizations, but also offer your help. There are many opportunities to volunteer and help the community. If you decide that you have enough free time and want to volunteer, start by finding an organization that suits you.

Search through centralized resources

• The easiest and fastest way to find volunteer opportunities is to call 211. This service is available 24 hours a day to help Albertans and can provide information about a wide variety of volunteer organizations and programs. Operators speak more than 170 languages, so language barriers won't be a problem.
• Check online resources. Many organizations publish information about volunteer opportunities on their websites. For example, Volunteer Calgary (volunteercalgary.ca), Propellus (propellus.org), GoVolunteer (govolunteer.ca). These platforms allow you to search for volunteer positions by interest, skills, and availability.

What types of volunteer organizations are there?

If you decide to help the community and volunteer, think about where you would like to volunteer:

• Food banks and centres, such as the Calgary Food Bank, Alex Community Food Centre, The Salvation Army Community Services, and others, offer free food to those in need. These organizations often recruit volunteers to sort food, prepare care packages, and distribute food.
• Cultural and community centers, such as Dashmesh Culture Center, Al-Qaim Foundation, may need volunteers to organize events, teach language or help newcomers.
• Migrant assistance organizations, including Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth (CBFY), Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS), Calgary Immigrant Women's Association (CIWA), Immigrant Services Calgary (ISC), are often looking for volunteers to help with settlement, language practice, and various support programs.
• The Calgary Search and Rescue Association (CALSARA) is a volunteer organization that assists in searching for missing persons and responding to emergencies. While special training is required to participate in rescue operations, they often need volunteers for administrative and support work.
• Museums, for example, Heritage Park, Hangar Flight Museum, need volunteers during the high season to greet guests and provide information about the museum's exhibits.

How to start volunteering

Once you have found the opportunities that interest you, contact the organizations where you would like to help. Many of them have special volunteer application forms on their websites. Please note that most organizations hold orientation sessions for new volunteers to explain the rules and responsibilities. You will also be asked to commit to a minimum period of time. This is to ensure the sustainability of the organization's programs. If you don't speak English well enough, it's not a reason to refuse to volunteer. Look for organizations that work with your language community. For example, CIWA and ISC often have programs for volunteers who speak different languages, including Ukrainian. If you have limited time, choose opportunities with flexible schedules or one-time events. Volunteering is not just a good deed. It is a great way to develop new skills and meet people in your professional field.