Make a Difference with Distress Centre
At Distress Centre Calgary, our volunteers are highly trained and committed to providing compassionate support to those in distress. We believe in supporting the incredible work they do by ensuring that they are well-prepared, comfortable, and successful in their roles.
If you would like to volunteer with us, please take a moment to explore the different opportunities we offer and start your application. Email us if you have any questions.
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Crisis Line Volunteer
Apply by: Ongoing
Age: 18+
Our highly trained volunteers provide confidential support to callers who phone into our lines. They do this by listening, managing crisis situations, ensuring the service user is safe, and providing the appropriate information about Distress Centre programs as well as referring them to services within the community.
Online Services Crisis Line Volunteer
Apply by: Ongoing
Age: 18+
As an Online Services Crisis Line Volunteer, you provide service users (via email and chat) with confidential service using tools and skills acquired in classroom theory, practical and ongoing training, and continuous feedback. You offer service users support and crisis intervention and provide appropriate information and referrals to programs within Distress Centre as well as the community.
ConnecTeen Youth Volunteer
Apply by: Ongoing
Age: 15–20
As a youth volunteer, you will provide confidential peer support to teens in distress by phone, chat, text, or email. Extensive classroom, practical, and ongoing training is provided.
Other Volunteer Opportunities
Board of Directors
Provide governance, strategy, policy and financial guidance to Distress Centre staff. Email for more information.
Fundraising Volunteers
Volunteers are always needed for our casino, which occurs every 18 months. Email for more information.
Our Values
- Belonging
- Service to Others
- Excellence
- Volunteerism
- Integrity
- Collaboration
- Innovation
- Leadership
Our Core Competencies
Client/Service Centred Work
You make clients the ultimate focus of our agency, team, and individual choices and actions.
Partnerships, Relationships, & Teamwork
You build and maintain productive, collaborative working relationships within and across groups, both internally and externally, to accomplish our common goals.
Growth Mindset/Learning
You actively identify new areas for learning and take advantage of opportunities to learn in whatever form they come. You apply your newly gained knowledge in your jobs and share these skills with others.
Communication
You clearly convey information and ideas through a variety of media channels in a way that engages the audience and helps them understand, inviting dialogue and inciting action where appropriate.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
We build and sustain an inclusive work environment where all individuals are welcomed, supported, respected, and valued for their unique experiences, perspectives, talents, and contributions.
Change Management
You maintain your team and personal effectiveness when being impacted by changes within the organization.
Self-Management
You take responsibility for yourself and your actions.
Opportunities to Help
Our volunteer opportunities allow you to provide support in various ways, including over the phone and via chat, text, or email. We also provide extensive practical and ongoing training.
As Calgary’s only 24-hour crisis agency, we are often the first point of contact for those seeking help. Make a career out of making a difference!
Distress Centre is committed to furthering the field of social work, and we view practicum students as a great asset to our team. Practicum opportunities exist year-round within the Crisis Line Program and Counselling Program, along with other opportunities.
Check Out Our Blog
Explore what’s new in the community and important updates from Distress Centre.
Partnering to support unhoused individuals through winter
The arrival of spring signals the end of the winter season of the Coordinated Community Extreme Weather Response (CCEWR). For Distress Centre, that means wrapping up our Coordinated Entry work [...]Read More... from Partnering to support unhoused individuals through winter
READ
Meet some of the amazing social workers at DC
March is Social Work Month, the perfect time to spotlight some of the incredible social workers at DC who work in a variety of roles serving individuals and the community. [...]Read More... from Meet some of the amazing social workers at DC
READ
What Is Community Service, What Are the Benefits, & How Can I Contribute?
Community service, in essence, is work that benefits your community, often done without compensation. Engaging in community service not only helps those in need but also fosters a sense of fulfillment and connection within the community. [...]Read More... from What Is Community Service, What Are the Benefits, & How Can I Contribute?
READ
How to Cope with Crippling Anxiety & When to Seek Help
Everyone can experience anxiety differently, but some strategies that may help include mindfulness, meditation, physical exercise, cognitive behavioural therapy, and breathing exercises. If you’re experiencing debilitating panic attacks, finding yourself using substances to cope, or having thoughts of self-harm, it’s time to seek support. [...]Read More... from How to Cope with Crippling Anxiety & When to Seek Help
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Why Is Volunteering Important?
Volunteering can be a crucial element of nonprofit organizations that offer essential services in your community, catalyzing positive change, helping those with nowhere else to turn, and offering a plethora of personal and professional benefits for volunteers [...]Read More... from Why Is Volunteering Important?
READ
10 Types of Grief Explained
There are many different forms of grief. Some of the most common types include: Normal grief Anticipatory grief Complicated grief Disenfranchised grief Collective grief Ambiguous grief Absent grief Secondary grief Cumulative grief Traumatic grief [...]Read More... from 10 Types of Grief Explained
READOur Impact Funders
we want you to know that your donation is currently supporting someone in crisis. thank you for your contributions.
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FIND US
Email: info@distresscentre.com24-Hour Crisis Line: 403-266-4357
Main Office: 403-266-1601
Youth Program Office: 403-264-8337
Calgary, AB T2R 1J5 | View Map
Charitable Registration Number:
107021024RR0001
In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, Distress Centre Calgary would like to honour and acknowledge Moh’kinsstis, and the traditional Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3 within the historical Northwest Métis homeland. Finally, we acknowledge all Nations – Indigenous and non – who live, work and play on this land, and who honour and celebrate this territory.
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