Calgary is a generous city. It’s evident through the many local charities working to create better lives, now and in the future, for Calgarians and the donors supporting their missions. Amid rising costs and complex social issues, Calgary’s charities must work innovatively to address community needs and ensure healthier, happier futures.
Discover some of the charities working to advance health care, provide housing resources and strengthen community connections. Read on to learn about their impact and how you can help.
Empowering Youth With Empathy
Safe Haven Foundation celebrates 30 years of milestones in helping change lives.
When Karen Sherbut was 16, she left home. The experience was incredibly challenging and ultimately inspired her to co-found Safe Haven Foundation in 1996 with her husband, John Sherbut, to create an environment that reflected what she needed during that difficult time. Since then, Safe Haven has offered a supportive, safe environment for girls at risk of homelessness.
“We show up before homelessness takes root, and that’s because we believe that when you show up early, wholly and fully, with care, we can help transform these girls and young women into change makers and caring contributors in our city,” says Krystyna Lloyd, CEO of Safe Haven.
For 30 years, Safe Haven Foundation has been changing the lives of at-risk youth in Calgary through housing resources and support services.
Built by Calgary
Right from the start, Safe Haven understood that it couldn’t build a home without a house. In 2000, the organization bought a piece of land in Calgary and built an eight-bedroom duplex that became Haven’s Way, a residence for at-risk girls aged 14–24.
“The house was actually built in a single summer in the year 2000. It’s often referred to as the house built by Calgary because it was an army of volunteers who contributed their time, trades and so much heart,” says Lloyd.
Designed to duplicate a supportive, family environment, Haven’s Way has live-in parents who help guide the girls and offers various programs and services, including counselling and educational and self-development resources. “We’ve created the kinds of spaces that foster a sense of safety and belonging, and inspire our youth to really chase their dreams,” affirms Lloyd.
Evolving with community needs
As Safe Haven evolved, it recognized a gap in needs along the way. Although Haven’s Way is not time restricted — each resident moves out when she is ready — many residents reported difficulty transitioning from Haven’s Way to fully independent living. The answer was a transitional residence for young women aged 18–26. Safe Haven opened Haven’s Harbour in 2020, a three-storey building with eight apartment units, where residents have continued access to a transitional coach and programs.
Safe Haven’s growing impact is evident in its newest program, Haven’s Rise by Dolce, a first-of-its-kind youth home buyers fund. Thanks to a partnership with Dolce Real Estate Group, the program is fully funded by commissions donated through Alicia Ryan and the Dolce Real Estate Team. Haven’s Rise provides qualifying Safe Haven residents and alumni the gift of a down payment along with a comprehensive education program with workshops on financial resilience, saving, budgeting, home maintenance and how to search for a home.
Celebrating 30 years of impact
As Safe Haven looks forward to ongoing growth and evolution, it reflects on the ripple effects of its work. “We have alumni who are nurses, social workers or work in the legal field, and they’re bringing not just their resilience, strength and know-how; they’re bringing empathy to the community, and I think that is the most impactful thing that we have achieved,” says Lloyd. And much of that ripple effect begins with community support.
Safe Haven recently hosted a Pearls and Tides 30th Anniversary Gala with a live-action Monopoly experience, where each space on the board represented a milestone, partnership or pathway that has helped change lives throughout the past three decades.
“And we celebrated, of course, our youth, and the incredible work they have done to grow these amazing futures and build these amazing lives and change the city in ways that I don’t think our founders ever imagined. That’s the most beautiful part,” says Lloyd.
To learn how you can help support Safe Haven, visit safehavenfoundation.ca
A Lasting Impact
When Dirk and Lorraine Van Genne grew their family, they chose to invest in their values.
After becoming parents last year, Dirk and Lorraine Van Genne decided it was time to take their charitable giving to the next level and chose Calgary Foundation to guide them along the way. The couple recently set up a fund with Calgary Foundation to create long-term impact in the community and pass down valuable lessons to their daughter.
Guided by experts
Calgary Foundation has been helping address community needs since 1955, providing grants and distributing funds to support various initiatives. Its extensive experience in the community and local charities is part of what led the Van Gennes to the foundation.
“They’ve been supporting the community for a long time and have a lot of experience with helping choose charities, so we thought that would be useful to us. They also provided a fund steward, so someone we can work with to help identify charities,” says Dirk.
“When we met with Calgary Foundation, there was no pressure at all. It was very welcoming, and I think that helped the process a lot as well,” adds Lorraine.
The Van Gennes chose to establish a donor-advised fund, guided by an advisor and with the option for family succession, so future generations can continue creating impact — something that was important to the couple.
Strengthening the community
While Dirk and Lorraine have only just set up the fund, they have an idea of the causes they’d like to help support, including those related to their daughter’s future, like girls in STEM and children’s literacy. From there, they are excited to let Calgary Foundation share its insight into current community needs so the funds can be distributed and used most effectively.
As a young family, the Van Gennes understand the value of community services — they’ve personally benefited from services like library programs.
“Our daughter and I did a lot of baby rhyme time together [at the library], and I thought it was a really great community and a great way for other people to meet each other. We visited the library a lot while I lived on maternity leave, so giving back to it felt really nice to do,” says Lorraine. “We want to continue to see those programs up and running.”
Giving back early
Only in their 30s, Dirk and Lorraine see the value in investing in their philanthropic efforts early. “I think the standout for us for Calgary Foundation is the fact that you can grow your fund versus a one-time payment, which you can do through Calgary Foundation as well. But the ability to have that growing fund sitting there made it stand out for us,” says Dirk.
While the Van Gennes are grateful to be in a fortunate position to give back, they note that it doesn’t always take a significant amount to start your philanthropic journey and appreciate that Calgary Foundation offers various ways to start setting up a fund.
For Dirk and Lorraine, establishing a fund now was just as much about making long-term investments in giving back to the community as it was about investing in growing their young family with philanthropic values, creating impact both in their community and within their family legacy.
To learn more, visit calgaryfoundation.org
Homelessness Can’t Wait
Calgary’s Drop-In Centre helps unhoused Calgarians access warmth, housing and recovery.
A warm meal, a winter coat or help furnishing a home can make a difference for someone experiencing homelessness. For 65 years, the Calgary Drop-In Centre (DI) has helped unhoused Calgarians meet urgent needs while building pathways to housing, recovery and stability.
“Our immediate priority is making sure people are safe, warm and supported, while continuing to help them move toward housing,” says Sandra Clarkson, president and CEO for the Calgary Drop-In Centre.
Continuing a legacy
What began as a welcoming place for a hot meal, coffee and somewhere safe to spend time has evolved into housing-focused care. Last year, the DI helped more than 800 people exit homelessness through housing, recovery pathways and connections to natural supports. More than 9,000 people accessed the centre’s services last year.
Now, for its 65th anniversary, the DI is asking the community to help fellow Calgarians and support its ongoing work. The anniversary campaign is designed to turn that legacy into practical support during the winter months, when warmth, meals and stable housing support becomes even more urgent. This December, individuals, families, workplaces and community groups can sponsor meals, including festive holiday dinners, and volunteer to serve them.
“For us, that is what community support makes possible,” says Clarkson. “It is not just about meeting an immediate need; it’s about being there for someone at a difficult point in their life and helping them take their next step.”
The centre provides breakfast, lunch and dinner every day and is seeking sponsors for each meal in December. Families, colleagues and community groups can contribute together, making sponsorship a shared way to give back during the holiday season.
New or gently used winter clothing donations are also needed, including coats, footwear, gloves, toques and warm socks, as well as blankets, hygiene products and other items.
Overcoming housing barriers
The DI addresses barriers to housing, including financial limitations and access to affordable options, through its Building a Stronger Calgary program. The average cost to house a single person for the first month is $1,350, and donations help cover damage deposits, first month’s rent and moving costs.
For someone who has enough income to maintain housing, upfront expenses can still stand in the way. Staff work alongside each person to understand those barriers and first address immediate needs, which can include medical care or help obtaining identification.
The Calgary Drop-In Centre’s Free Goods Program provides furniture, bedding, kitchenware and other essentials. Last year, it helped more than 3,000 households by distributing more than 867,000 items and accepted referrals from 127 partner agencies serving Calgary’s most vulnerable populations. Mattresses, towels, small appliances and cleaning supplies help create a welcoming home, and these essentials are provided at no cost to people moving out of homelessness.
Calgarians can make a difference by donating funds or winter essentials, volunteering, sponsoring meals throughout the year or connecting the centre with affordable rental opportunities.
“Homelessness is not a circumstance that can be tackled alone, and neither is the work of building pathways to home,” says Clarkson. “To end a person’s homelessness, we must all work together.”
Donations can be dropped off at the Free Goods Program and Donation Centre, 3640 11A St. N.E., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. To donate, volunteer or sponsor a meal, visit calgarydropin.ca
A Place Built for Healing
Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre brings Calgary’s response to child abuse under one roof. A $7-million campaign is helping give that work the space it needs.
Child abuse is more common than most of us want to believe. Statistics Canada reports roughly six in 10 Canadians experienced some form of maltreatment before age 15, and in Alberta it is closer to seven in 10. Most are never disclosed.
When a child in Calgary or Southern Alberta experiences abuse, Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre brings together the systems that respond: police, child protection, medical and therapeutic services, and justice and victim services. More than 140 professionals work as one team from one location, sharing information in real time and supporting a child through assessment, investigation, the justice process and every step of healing.
Since 2013, Luna has supported more than 30,000 children, youth and families. Its current centre was built for roughly 1,000 children and youth a year and now supports nearly 5,000, with the need growing alongside the city’s population. Luna’s new, larger centre will soon open its doors to address the growing need for child services, and the community can help support it.
“Luna has always been an example of what is possible when our community comes together,” says Karen Orser, CEO, Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre. “Child abuse is a community issue, and keeping children and youth safe and supported is something we should all be invested in. We are asking individuals, government, businesses, foundations and community partners to help ensure we can continue to provide the strongest possible response when children and families need us.”
Luna’s $7-million campaign, More than a Building. A Place for Healing., is underway now, and every gift helps ensure the space is ready for the children and families who will walk through its doors when it opens in early 2027.
To donate or connect with Luna’s team about giving, visit lunacentre.ca
Helping Families Thrive
From counselling to parenting support, Kindred Connection Society supports a healthier and happier Calgary.
Strong relationships can make life’s challenges simpler to navigate. Since 1957, Kindred Connection Society has helped build connections in Calgary through accessible counselling and parenting support for individuals, couples and families.
“Our mental health supports don’t just stop at the individual, but they also help clients improve their relationships with partners, children or caregivers,” says Melanie Grylls, CEO of Kindred.
That support comes in many different forms. In 2025, 1,266 clients accessed Kindred’s Rapid Access Counselling, which offers 75-minute appointments in person, by phone or virtually, with a pay-what-you-can model helping minimize financial barriers.
For families, Kindred offers nutrition and health guidance during pregnancy and a child’s first year, alongside parenting support. The Parent-Infant Relationship Team (PIRT) helps parents understand and respond to their baby’s cues from birth to age three. Other programs support pregnant and parenting high school students, young children and foster, kinship and adoptive caregivers.
Having relocated to Sunridge this past September, Kindred’s new location creates room for expanded offerings, including infant massage, family and play therapy and community workshops. A community kitchen supports nutrition education, while accessible spaces accommodate families with strollers and mobility needs.
Families thrive best when we come together, and Calgarians can help strengthen these programs through one-time or monthly donations, or individual or group volunteering. Community involvement supports Kindred’s work helping families navigate life’s challenges together.
Learn how to support or access Kindred’s services, visit kindred.ca
More Than Prostate Care
The Prostate Cancer Centre offers comprehensive services and support to Albertans facing cancer.
When you walk into the Prostate Cancer Centre (PCC), it doesn’t engulf you with a sterile, clinical feel. Instead, natural daylight pours in from large windows and skylights, images of deep green trees line the room dividers and serene scenes of nature cover walls throughout the centre. The PCC was designed to be a place of wellness and not illness, where patients could find wraparound care all in one spot, at every stage of a cancer journey.
PCC Prehab — taking advantage of the time before surgery
The PCC’s comprehensive team of experts, including dietitians and fitness trainers, helps patients prepare for surgery with healthier habits, whether that’s following a new diet, training plan or smoking cessation strategies.
Peer support groups
Cancer changes lives for everyone it touches. The PCC offers peer support services for patients and caregivers, so nobody needs to walk this journey alone.
A nurse navigation system
With a nurse navigator, patients have a direct line of support throughout their journey. The PCC’s nurses help remind patients of upcoming appointments, ensure their questions are answered and are an accessible point of contact along the way.
Mental and sexual health services
The PCC has a team of experts equipped to handle the unique mental and sexual health impact that accompanies urological disease and cancers.
Innovative programs
The PCC houses a robust research department that conducts dozens of clinical studies and trials. The PCC also has innovative programs, including the MAN VAN®, an outreach program that travels throughout the community screening for prostate cancer.
A new bladder cancer initiative
Launched in December 2025, the PCC’s bladder cancer initiative draws on its 28 years of experience to bring the same wraparound care to bladder cancer patients, both male and female. The new initiative will provide more timely, expert care to Albertans.
Testing Saves Lives
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. One in six Alberta men will be diagnosed with it. But there is good news. It’s nearly 100 per cent treatable when caught early.
Early testing is the solution. Unfortunately, 67 per cent of men delay medical attention, and the risk is real. “You know these people [receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis]. It’s your dad, brother, son, uncle, grandpa,” says Jeff Davison, CEO of the Prostate Cancer Centre.
If you’re over 40 and/or have a family history, it’s time to consider getting tested. For everyone else — young adults and women included — it’s time to talk about prostate cancer testing, learn about it and encourage your loved ones to get tested. It saves lives.
Generosity Saves Lives
The Prostate Cancer Centre is fully supported by community generosity. This November, support men’s health by giving back to patients in Alberta. The Keep It In Alberta campaign aims to raise $500,000 in support of prostate cancer care. Every dollar stays in the province, benefiting Albertan patients and Albertan families — your family and your friends.
Make an impact by donating at prostatecancercentre.ca
This content was produced for the advertiser by RedPoint Media for commercial purposes. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Avenue staff.