Affordable Internet
Rogers
Rodgers offers various programs for low-income families and individuals who need assistance including affordable internet and financial assistance. Visit their website for more information.
Website: https://www.rogers.com/connected-for-success/eligibility-and-application/rent-assist
Telus – Connecting for Good
Telus offers various different programs for low-income families and individuals who need assistance with internet, technology, and cell phones. Visit their website for more information
Crisis Support
24-hour Emergency Income Support Contact Centre
Get emergency financial assistance to help with basic needs like shelter, food, clothing and transportation.
Phone: 1-866-644-5135
Email: scss.iscc@gov.ab.ca
Website: https://www.alberta.ca/income-support
AHS Crisis Supports
An online website with different resources about a variety of different kind of crisis, including bullying, food, homelessness, crime, and mental health.
Website: https://www.alberta.ca/individual-family-crisis
211 Alberta
Access to a broad network of community, social, health, and government services. Your call, text, or chat will be answered by a professional 211 community resource specialist who is trained to assess your needs and refer you to the appropriate services.
Phone: 211
Website: https://ab.211.ca/
Help in Tough Times (AHS)
Provides a list of resources, hotlines, and support groups available for a variety of different scenarios, including Indigenous resources and support groups for Albertans.
Website: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/Page16759.aspx
Togetherall
An online peer support website to small and large populations 24/7. Togetherall believes no one should be excluded from instant access to mental health support from real people when they need it. With Togetherall, entire populations can have a safe place to connect, share and discuss what’s on their mind with peers. Their diverse community is active day and night, monitored and moderated 24/7 by licensed mental health practitioners.
Website: https://togetherall.com/en-us/
Rapid Access Counselling
Rapid Access Counselling (RAC) provides you and your family with a supportive, change-focused conversation at the right time. RAC is real help, within the reach of every Albertan. Offered by various different places and locations across Calgary and surrounding areas as a part of the Family Resource Network.
Phone: 1.877.244.2360
Website: https://www.racalberta.ca/
OpenCounselling
At OpenCounseling, we believe that financial and geographic barriers keep far too many people from getting the care they need. People who are already feeling vulnerable are often discouraged when they try to get help but can’t find a local therapist who accepts their insurance plan or offers affordable rates. This can turn people away from therapy when they need it the most.
Website: https://www.opencounseling.com/alberta
Transform your Stress Workshops – AHS
Transform Your Stress workshops help people learn about how they handle stress, what works for them and what other strategies can help, the workshops allow participants to learn about stress, review their existing coping strategies, and learn two practical stress-relieving techniques, and create action plans
Website: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/page16759.aspx
Eastside Community Mental Health Services (ECMHS)
ECMHS- formerly known as the Community Resource Team and Eastside Family Center- serves as an Open Access Mental Health Hub, providing Crisis Counselling, Single Session Therapy, and System Navigation Support. Immediate crisis and intake support can be accessed by calling 403-299-9699 from 8 am to 11 pm, texting (587-315-5000), or chatting (woodshomes.ca) from 9 am to 10 pm. Services are delivered by an integrated ethnocultural team of professionals with proficiency in multiple languages. Both virtual and in-person support is available through scheduled appointments and walk-ins at their primary location, Northgate Village Mall, Office 255, as well as at three Calgary Public Libraries (Crowfoot, Shawnessy, and Central Public Libraries).
Phone: (403) 299-9699
Email: cct@woodshomes.ca
Website: https://www.woodshomes.ca/
Red Cross Friendly Calls Program
The Friendly Calls Program offers people over the age of 18 to be connected to a volunteer who connects with them regularly to check in, provide emotional support, encourage healthy coping strategies, and suggest well-being resources and community connections to other existing services. They train, and match volunteers based on needs and experience the best they can.
Phone: 1-833-979-9779
Website: www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/community-health-services-in-canada/friendly-calls-program
Emergency Housing Options
Calgary Housing Company
Calgary Housing (CH) administers rental and rent supplement programs on behalf of The City of Calgary and the Province of Alberta. CH manages housing for almost 10,000 households – about 27,000 Calgarians, including 15,000 children, live in a CH-managed property. Housing assistance is available based on a variety of factors in different programs. These programs are designed to serve those looking for housing from near-market rate rentals to deep subsidy programs. Access to safe, affordable housing is critically important to families, individuals and our entire community.
Email: chccustomerservice@calgary.ca
Phone: (587) 390-1200
Website: https://calgaryhousingcompany.org/
Inn from the Cold
Our emergency family shelter program provides temporary emergency shelter to families when they’re unable to stay in their existing homes and they have nowhere else to turn. If you and your family are facing eviction or have recently become homeless we are here to help! We will provide your family a safe roof over your head and your family will stay together in a semi-private environment that includes access to three healthy meals and snacks each day.
Phone: 403 263 8384
Email: info@innfromthecold.org
Website: https://innfromthecold.org/emergency-shelter/
Salvation Army – Community Support Services
Both emergency and transitional living options in a multi person dormitory, Options for women specific living quarters, Can aid with security deposits, rental arrears, and utility arrears
Phone: (403) 220-0432
Email: CSCalgary.Info@salvationarmy.ca
Website: salvationarmycalgary.org
YWCA Emergency Housing
Low cost shelter to single women and women with children who experience homelessness and poverty.
Phone: Shelter (403-705-0315), Crisis Line (403-266-0707)
Email: communications@ywcalgary.ca
Website: https://www.ywcalgary.ca/programs/emergency-shelter
YWCA – Sheriff King
Provides emergency shelter and basic needs, provides short-stay crisis shelter for women and
their children leaving domestic abuse and violence, provides basic needs, including food and personal items, as well as individual domestic abuse counselling and support.
Phone: Shelter (403-266-4111), Crisis Line (403-266-0707)
Email: communications@ywcalgary.ca
Website: https://www.ywcalgary.ca/sheriffking
The Mustard Seed
Works with adults experiencing poverty and homelessness, access to shelter services and programs to take care of physical, mental, and spiritual needs as a Christian based organization
Phone: 403-269-1319
Email: info@theseed.ca
Website: theseed.ca
Awo-Taan Women’s Shelter
Provides holistic support and guidance to anyone, from all cultures to shield, support, and empower against family violence, open 24 hours, with contact with emergency counsellors. Culturally sensitive programs for aboriginal women
Phone: 403-531-1970
Crisis Line: 403-531-1972 or 403-531-1976
Phone: awotaan@awotaan.org
Website: awotaan.org
Calgary Drop-in Centre
For those experiencing homelessness or at risk, those facing marginalization, and extreme poverty. Harm reduction approach, counselling and support services, intoxication shelter services, and health services
Phone: 403-266-3600
Email: community@thedi.ca
Website: calgarydropin.ca
Homespace
Homespace provides supportive, affordable housing for Calgary’s most vulnerable people. Visit their website for more information.
Phone: (587) 320-1545
Website: www.homespace.org/
Food & Basic Need Supports
City of Calgary Access to Food Database
The City of Calgary has a list of different food resources per quadrant of the city. Do you need support in finding low or no cost food? Use their Calgary community food map and/or view a list of food resources across Calgary. Updates regularly
Website: https://www.calgary.ca/social-services/low-income/access-to-food.html
Rise Calgary
Rise Calgary is born out of collaboration and deep partnership between BowWest Community Resource Centre and Sunrise Community Link. We operate city wide to provide help for today, and hope for tomorrow. Their team supports low-income individuals and families with access to basic needs support, advocacy, money management, wellness and engagement, financial empowerment opportunities, and parenting, employment, and life skills programming, from convenient locations in communities near you.
Email: info@risecalgary.ca
Phone: North Office (403) 204-8280, South Office (403) 720-3322
Website: https://www.risecalgary.ca/
Salvation Army
Provides food hampers based on family size. Families can access hampers every 14 days with brief intake assessment.
Phone: 403-220-0432
Email: CSCalgary.Info@salvationarmy.ca
Website: https://www.salvationarmycalgary.org/
St. Vincent de Paul Society
A Catholic organization where Vincentians deliver emergency food baskets to individuals and families in need.
Phone: 403-250-0319
Email: See website for area email
Website: https://ssvpcalgary.ca/
Calgary Food Bank
Provides emergency food hampers to families in need. Families must call ahead and book a hamper before picking up. They require personal information like income and basic expenses along with government issued identification.
Phone: 403-253-2055
Email: info@calgaryfoodbank.com
Website: https://www.calgaryfoodbank.com/
Robert Mcclure United Church
Provides a Food Pantry for the general public every Thursday at 11:30am. No need to register ahead, no need for screening process – the only information they require are individuals name and # of people in their household. Individuals walk through a variety of tables and take what they need.
Phone: 403-280-9500
Email: office@robertmcclurechurch.org
Website: https://robertmcclurechurch.org/food-pantry
Deer Park United Church
Has an Emergency Food Hamper Program that assists people once a week, who live in south Calgary.
Email: info@dpuc.ca
Website: https://dpuc.ca/social-services/
Good Food Box
A program under Community Kitchens which provides fresh fruits and vegetables at an affordable price. Boxes supply a week’s worth of produce. Please see their website to contact the depot nearest you.
Phone: (403) 538-3779
Website: https://www.ckpcalgary.ca/goodfoodbox
The Alex Community Food Centre
The Alex offers different community food supports, including a Drop-in Family Dinner, Drop-in Community Lunch Drop-in Community Cafe. See website for details and other programs to learn how to grow food, build community, cook new recipes, and avoid food waste.
Phone: 403-455-5792
Email: goodfood@thealex.ca
Website: https://thealexcfc.ca/programs-2/
Al-Qaim Foundation
Al-Qaim Foundations offers no-cost food hampers and basic needs items are available to Calgarians in financial need. Delivery is available. Call to request service.
Phone: 403-999-4614
Email: info@al-qaim.org
Website: https://al-qaim.org/
Calgary Meals on Wheels
Nutritious and affordable meals delivered to anyone in Calgary, regardless of age or income. When you have a lot on your plate, let us do the cooking. Choose from the Chef’s Daily Special Offers Lunch & Supper with accommodation for special diets and texture modifications. Price based on income. Available 3-7 days/week. Frozen meals, family-size entrees, soups, and baked goods at set prices. Offers flexibility, choice, and convenience with online ordering. Place an order to stock the freezer!
Phone: 403-243-2834
Email: info@mealsonwheels.com
Website:www.mealsonwheels.com
Sankofa Arts and Music Foundation
Food hampers are available to anyone in need and can be picked up or delivered. Boxes are made up to try meeting specific needs of families.
Phone: 403-815-5822
Email: hello@sankofayyc.org
Website: https://sankofayyc.org/
Streetlight – Calgary
Streetlight provides and delivers hamper referrals for youth and young adults ages 12-24. Visit their website for more information.
Phone: 403-470-9322
Email: calgary@yfc.ca
Website: https://yucalgary.ca/streetlight
Umoja Community Mosaic
Umoja Community Mosaic is the next evolution of Soccer Without Boundaries. Umoja Community Mosaic provides families in need with food to cook with, fruit, vegetables, and diapers, ensuring that families have access to food in a safe and secure manner.
Phone: 403-764-5234
Email: office@umojamosaic.org
Website: https://umojamosaic.org/hampercampaign/
Dashmesh Culture Centre
Food bank: No-cost, non-perishable food and hygiene items available for pick-up (pasta, sauce, beans, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.). Donations also accepted. Everyone is welcome to receive food services. If you are unable to visit in-person, please email them.
Phone: 403-590-0970
Email: Food@Dashmesh.ca
Website: https://www.dashmesh.ca/
Muslim Families Network Society – Halal Food Bank
Halal Food Bank is accessible through appointments only. We provide food assistance 4 times a year (more than 4 times in extreme situations). For assessment, please provide 2 months current bank statements for the family and the rental agreement.
Phone: 403-466-6367
Email: muslimfamilysociety@yahoo.com
Website: https://www.muslimfamilynetwork.org/
Maria’s Food & Pantry Foundation
The pantry is a spacious, organized area filled with a variety of essentials. Shelves are lined with canned goods such as beans, soups, and vegetables, as well as dry staples like pasta, rice, and cereals. Additionally, there is pet food for our fur babies, dogs and cats. Drop-in at the door to Maria’s Food & Pantry Foundation during open hours.
Email: mariasfoodpantry@outlook.com
Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pantryf/
Housing & Housing Resources
AIDE Canada
In Canada, provincial and local organizations provide funding and resources to help families make their homes more accessible and safe for individuals with disabilities. AIDE Canada has a guide that covers major federal programs and key provincial ones, explaining modifications for physical disabilities and sensory needs.
Website: www.aidecanada.ca/resources/learn/asd-id-core-knowledge/funding-your-accessible-home
Aspires Housing
A group of parents focused on the identification and development of local family-driven housing solutions for their adult children with autism.
Website: www.aspires.ca
Community Housing Affordability Collective
The collective engine for improving housing affordability in Calgary through cross-sector collaboration and community-based advocacy.
Website: www.chacollective.com/
Heritage Nanny Community Living and Support (HNCLAS)
HNCLAS provides support to individuals who are experiencing developmental, mental health, behavioral, and emotional challenges. They offer a program for adults with complex needs and another program for adults with disabilities. The program is designed to provide them with the necessary skills and well-being to attain a greater level of independence.
Professionals Available: Aide Support, Behavioral Specialist, Respite
Email: care@hnclas.com
Phone: (587) 355-7800
Website: www.hnclas.com
The Mustard Seed
Provides basic services (shelter, food and clothing) and support services (including employment, health and wellness, and spiritual care), as well as housing for those in need.
Website: www.theseed.ca/services-calgary/
Onward Homes
Onward Homes operates over 30 independent living buildings throughout the city, housing over 3,000 Calgarians. Serve a diverse mix of low income Calgarians, including those with mental health and mobility challenges, to the working poor, seniors and individuals leaving homelessness and domestic violence. Welcomes single people, families, seniors, Indigenous persons, newcomers to Canada, and others. Works with more than 60 social-service agencies who refer and support residents. Mixed income approach helps reduce stigma, promotes community integration, and enhances quality of life for residents.
Referral Process: (Affordable Housing) Need referral from an agency partner
Referral Process: (Mixed Income) No referral needed, visit rental websites to find open units
Website: www.onwardhomes.ca/
Referral Agency Partners: https://onwardhomes.ca/referring-agencies
Supported Living Accommodations Listings (Government of Alberta)
The Government of Alberta has a list of supported accommodations in the Calgary area. See their website for more details.
Website: https://open.alberta.ca/publications/publicly-funded-designated-supportive-living-accommodations-and-long-term-care-facilities
Universal Rehabilitation Service Agency (URSA)
Their Residential Services program offers assisted-living groups homes for people 18 and older with developmental disabilities, with options for both long-term residence and short-term respite. This program is intended for those who require partial to total assistance with activities of daily living, and also has additional supports for those transitioning from the child healthcare system to the adult system.
Referral Process: Most referrals are through Human Services – Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD)
Phone: (403) 272-7722
Website: www.ursa-rehab.com/developmental-disability-services/residential-services/
Wow Deluxe Care
They offer Assistive living and supportive roommates, outreach programs, Non-emergency medical transportation & respite care
Professionals Available: Recreational Activities, Respite, Social Activities
Billing: PDD Funded, Direct Billing to Private Health Insurance, Family managed Services
Ages: 18+
Email: Info@wowdeluxecare.com
Phone: (403) 970-6700
Website: www.wowdeluxecare.com
Income Support
Alberta Income Support – Emergency Financial Assistance
The Government of Alberta offers emergency financial assistance if a situation is caused by unforeseeable circumstances beyond your control, it presents a severe health risk and you cannot access other resources or wait until your next pay-cheque or Income Support benefit cheque.
Phone: 1-866-644-5135
Email: scss.iscc@gov.ab.ca
Website: https://www.alberta.ca/emergency-financial-assistance