Essentials and connection
Food, water, clothing, hygiene products, seasonal supplies and respectful conversation.
About BeTheChangeYYC
Showing up. Building trust. Connecting people to support.
BeTheChangeYYC is a volunteer-powered Calgary street outreach organization. We meet people where they are with practical help, trusted relationships and pathways toward safer, more stable futures.
Our story
Built from lived experience. Powered by community.
Founded in 2015 by Chaz Smith, BeTheChangeYYC grew from a belief that meaningful support starts by meeting people with dignity, consistency and compassion.
Today, volunteers, people with lived experience and frontline professionals work together across Calgary to provide essentials, health and safety support, and informed navigation to community services.
We believe a meal, a conversation or a referral can be the start of a safer next step.
What we do
Practical support on Calgary’s streets
Health and safety
First aid, overdose response, disease-prevention supplies and emergency support when it matters.
Pathways forward
Connection to housing, shelter, detox and treatment, health care, legal and other community supports.
The people behind the work
A team built to show up.
Our volunteers bring skills, care and a dependable presence to outreach. Together, they turn donated resources into direct support for people across Calgary.
Be part of the change in Calgary.
Volunteer, donate, give supplies or share BeTheChangeYYC’s work with your community.
Frontline impact
Practical help, backed by consistent action.
32,069*total outreach contacts served
86,398*food and drink items recorded
2,274*housing referrals and interventions
24overdose reversals
Numbers are up-to-date estimates based on recorded outreach shift data.
Ways to help
Choose the way you can make a difference.
Community powered
Our Partners
Public, community, education and business partners strengthen BeTheChangeYYC’s frontline outreach across Calgary.
