What We Do

Street Cats YYC volunteers support our weekly outreach and community-based harm reduction work. This includes working directly alongside our team to distribute supplies, build connections, and support people in real, often unpredictable environments.

Outreach

Our outreach takes place outdoors, at night, and in all weather conditions. Volunteers should be prepared for physically and emotionally demanding environments, including exposure to visible substance use, mental health crises, and systemic barriers faced by the people we support.

That said, we recognize that not everyone is able to participate in outreach in a physical or on-the-ground capacity. There are many ways to contribute to this work, including behind-the-scenes roles such as organizing and transporting supplies, supporting community events, fundraising, and other forms of ongoing support. We welcome people with different capacities and strengths - if this applies to you, please share more in the appropriate section of the form. You are never expected to do anything beyond your comfort level or training. All volunteers are supported by experienced team members, and safety is prioritized at all times.

Street Cats YYC is grounded in harm reduction, meaning we meet people where they’re at without judgment, abstinence requirements, or conditions for care.

Before applying, please consider:

Are you comfortable being around substance use and overdose response situations?

Are you able to engage with people experiencing crisis in a calm and respectful way?

Are you open to learning, including in situations that may feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable, and able to engage in this work from a harm reduction, non-judgmental approach?