Our highly trained volunteers are dedicated to providing compassionate support to those in distress. In turn, Distress Centre is dedicated to supporting the incredible work they do. We ensure they are prepared, comfortable and successful in their role.
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Apply by: Ongoing
Age: 18+
Our highly trained volunteers provide confidential support to callers and online clients (via chat). They do this by listening, managing crisis situations, ensuring the contactor is safe, and providing the appropriate information about Distress Centre programs as well as refer them to services within the community.
PLEASE NOTE: We are currently receiving a high volume of volunteer applications. We appreciate your patience as we review them. Only suitable applicants will be contacted.
Apply by: Ongoing
Age: 18+
As an Online Services Volunteer, you provide visitors (via e-mail and chat) with confidential service utilizing tools and skills acquired in classroom theory, practical/on-going training, and continuous feedback. You offer visitors support, manage crisis situations over e-mail/chat, and provide appropriate information and referrals to programs within Distress Centre as well as the community. Our volunteers must be able to demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in changing situations. This can include taking multiple chats, covering peer-support services, and keeping up-to-date with the latest best practices, policies, and procedures. Volunteers are also expected to enter short reports on all visitor contacts to allow follow-through and/or evaluations by the staff.
PLEASE NOTE: We are currently receiving a high volume of volunteer applications. We appreciate your patience as we review them. Only suitable applicants will be contacted.
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 provided.
“When a friend suggested I consider the Calgary Distress Center I decided to try it. In the beginning I was hesitant because I didn’t think I had the qualifications. However, Distress Centre provided a thorough and interesting course that gave me an understanding of the vast array of different crisis people can experience and trained me on how to handle difficult situations in a empathetic and tactful manner. Most calls to the Crisis Line begin with a person explaining they are in some form of crisis. 80-90% of these calls end up in a gratifying upbeat tone. Now, after two years on the crisis line I feel a sense of satisfaction and gratitude. Funny, I even use these skills handling issues with my adult children. Anyone can become a Crisis Line Volunteer because you can bring your own life experiences to the role.”
—Ray Graham, Leadership Volunteer
