Street Cats YYC Volunteer Application Form

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE

Our volunteer application is pretty detailed because we like to get to know the people who want to join our team. We also know that long forms aren't accessible for everyone, and we don't want that to stop someone from getting involved.

We don't believe that someone's ability to complete a long written application says anything about how compassionate, reliable, or valuable they could be as a volunteer. We care far more about who you are than how well you fill out a form, and we want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to get involved.

If you're interested in volunteering but have trouble completing this application because of a disability, learning difference, literacy, language, brain injury, neurodivergence, or any other barrier, please send us a message instead.

Let us know you're interested in volunteering and, if you're comfortable, tell us which parts of the application were difficult for you. We'll work with you to find another way to complete the process, and it also helps us understand where we can do better!

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 harm reduction & basic needs supplies, build connections, and support people in often unpredictable environments.

OUTREACH

Our outreach takes place outdoors, at night, and in all weather conditions. Volunteers should be prepared for sometimes physically and emotionally demanding environments, and exposure to visible substance use, mental health crises, and systemic violence 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's many ways to contribute to this work, including behind-the-scenes roles like organizing and transporting supplies, supporting community events, fundraising, and other forms of ongoing support. We welcome people with different capacities and strengths, so if this applies to you, please share more in the appropriate section of the form.

You're 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 feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable?

**CONSENT FOR STREET CATS YYC TO COLLECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION** By agreeing, you permit Street Cats YYC to collect personal information as a means to contact you for activities relating to Street Cats YYC.* This field is required.Street Cats YYC collects this personal information in accordance to the Personal Information Act.

Yes, I agree

No, I don’t agree

Other

NOW FOR THE QUESTIONS!

One small request: please don't use ChatGPT or any sort of AI to answer these questions.

We're not looking for the "right" answer or the most impressive one, and we don't care about grammar or spelling or how poetic you can be.

Tell us what you think. Tell us what you really believe. Tell us why you want to be here.

Street Cats YYC is built on authenticity, relationships, and showing up as real people. We want volunteers whose answers come from the heart! Answers they can say with their whole chest!

So don't overthink it and just be yourself. That's who we're hoping to meet and to love.

Name* This field is required.Preferred names or nicknames are acceptable

First Name

Last Name

Pronouns

Age* This field is required.

What days of the week are you most frequently available to volunteer?* This field is required.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Other

How did you hear about Street Cats YYC?* This field is required.

Instagram

Facebook

Word of mouth

From an existing team member

Other organization(s)

At an event

Friends or family

Other

If an existing Street Cats member referred you, who was it & when/where?* This field is required.If applicable, type "N/A" if not

Tell us a bit about yourself. What are your interests or hobbies? What brings you joy?* This field is required.Help us get to know you!

We operate from a capital H.R. Harm Reduction approach, rooted in social justice. What does harm reduction mean to you?* This field is required.In your own words, describe how harm reduction shows up in your life, your values, and how you interact with others.

Do you have any previous experience doing harm reduction work? Professionally or otherwise.* This field is required.If you work for a harm reduction organization or volunteer with another outreach group, please list them.

Why do you want to volunteer with Street Cats YYC?* This field is required.

Are you familiar with harm reduction supplies? What they are, how they are used, etc.* This field is required.

Yes

I would benefit from a refresher

Are you familiar with therapeutic responses to drug poisonings and have you been trained in Naloxone administration?* This field is required.

Yes, I have training and experience responding

No, I do not have training or experience responding

I have training but have never responded

I do not have training but have experience responding

I do not feel comfortable administering naloxone

Other

Do you have any additional certifications or training?

BLS / CPR

First Responder

First Aid

NVCI (Non-Violent Crisis Intervention)

ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)

Other

What are your perspectives on supporting people who engage in ongoing substance use?* This field is required.Because we are entering other peoples’ spaces, we regularly encounter active substance use. This means volunteers may have frequent and direct exposure to use on outreach. Please let us know how you feel about this, and whether this is something that may impact your ability to participate.

Are you aware of any triggers you feel comfortable sharing with us? Are there specific ways you would like to be supported by the team if something comes up for you during outreach?* This field is required.This work can involve exposure to a range of situations that may be activating or overwhelming. We recognize that everyone has different experiences and responses, and we want to create space for people to feel supported where possible. You are not required to share anything you’re not comfortable with, but if there are ways we can better support you in potentially triggering situations, we welcome you to include that here.

Being a part of Street Cats YYC does not require sobriety. Some of our volunteers are unhoused and/or actively using substances, and there may be times when team members use during outreach. Are you comfortable working alongside team members who may be using substances in this context?* This field is required.Outreach is always team-based, and volunteers are supported by experienced members. We prioritize safety, communication, and accountability - no one is left alone or expected to manage situations beyond their capacity. If a volunteer chooses to use during outreach, we ask that they communicate with their team about what and when they are using, and that their use remains within a range that allows them to stay alert and engaged.

Yes, I am comfortable working alongside folks that are using

No, I am not comfortable working alongside folks that are using

Other

If you’re not comfortable, please explain why.* This field is required.Type "N/A" if not applicable to you

What de-escalation skills or approaches do you use when supporting someone in distress?* This field is required.In this work, we regularly encounter folks who are overwhelmed, in crisis, or navigating intense emotional states, including grief and suicidal thoughts. We recognize that this can be challenging, and not everyone has the same comfort level or experience. Please let us know if you feel able to provide calm, non-judgmental, and supportive responses in these moments, and/or what your boundaries are when it comes to engaging in this type of support.

Do you identify as someone with current or former substance use dependency, experience with street involvement, houselessness, or participation in sex work?* This field is required.We prioritize having folks with lived experience on our team, but it is not mandatory. Sharing your personal experience is not obligated.

Yes

I prefer not to answer

The team has a lot of moving parts aside from weekly outreach that get done in the background. Do you have any other skills or experience that you think would be an asset to the team?Please explain

What areas of volunteering interest you the most? What else would you be willing to support & participate in?* This field is required.Click all that apply. Please scroll to the bottom.

Doing direct street outreach

Gathering donations (access to a vehicle)

Sorting & organizing donations

Storing donations (access to a space where items can be stored)

Prepping gear & supplies

Weekly food preparation

Encampment engagement & support

Community engagement for education purposes

Grant & proposal writing

Internal training opportunities

Prison support

Event coordination

Do you have access to a vehicle and would you be comfortable using it for outreach efforts?* This field is required.This could involve picking up donations, transporting outreach supplies or event gear, or using your car for outreach in the colder months.

YESNO

Do you have a fear of needles (trypanophobia) or significant discomfort with handling needles or syringes?* This field is required.Please note: On outreach, we regularly engage with people who use intravenous substances. Most importantly, in the event someone is experiencing an overdose, volunteers are expected to be able to administer Naloxone or support a team member in doing so. It is very important that we are aware ahead of time if this may be an issue for you. If street-level outreach involving direct contact with needles or overdose response is outside your comfort zone, there are still many important behind-the-scenes roles where you can contribute meaningfully! Please read the options below carefully.

No, I DO NOT have a fear of needles, and I AM comfortable handling needles and administering naloxone

Yes, I DO have a fear of needles, but I am still comfortable witnessing needle use and/or administering naloxone

Yes, I DO have a fear of needles, and I am NOT comfortable handling needles or administering naloxone

Other

We go on outreach every Wednesday night, year-round, regardless of weather conditions. Are you able to commit to volunteering at least once a month?* This field is required.We understand that participation may fluctuate due to life changes.

YESNO

Phone Number* This field is required.

E-mail* This field is required.

example@example.com

Social Media* This field is required.Share your Facebook, Instagram, or other socials with us. We like to connect faces with names :)

Signature* This field is required.Confirms all questions have been answered to the best of your ability and that you have read and agree with all conditions and terms.

Thank you for taking the time to fill out this insanely long application! Please be patient with us while waiting for a response - it can sometimes take up to 6 weeks to hear back. The application approval/rejection responses often end up in junk mail, so be sure to check yours over the next few weeks. Do you have any additional comments or questions?