Every day, people in crisis reach out to Distress Centre Calgary (DCC) looking for support, reassurance, and a compassionate ear. Behind most answered calls, texts, and chats is a dedicated volunteer—someone who has committed their time to being there for others in their darkest moments. April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate these incredible individuals.
Why Volunteers Matter
DCC volunteers are the frontline responders offering 24/7 crisis support to individuals facing mental health challenges, suicidal thoughts, family struggles, and more.
In the last five years alone, our volunteers have responded to over 307,000 crisis connections through phone, text, chat, and email on our 24-Hour Crisis Support program and ConnecTeen, ensuring those in distress are never alone.
Volunteers undergo extensive training, learning how to provide emotional support, de-escalate situations, and connect individuals to the resources they need.
Their work not only helps those in crisis but also strengthens our community as they bring those skills out into their networks.
Here are some of our posts talking about the importance of volunteering:
How You Can Show Appreciation
This Volunteer Appreciation Month, there are many ways to say “thank you” to our incredible volunteers—whether you’re an individual, a business, or part of a community group.
If you’re an individual:
- Donate in honor of our volunteers – We are raising $5,500 for 55 years of amazing volunteers this month! Your gift supports training, mentorship, and ongoing crisis services.
- Share a message of appreciation – comment on our social media posts or send a thank-you note to our volunteers.
- Become a volunteer yourself – if you’ve ever thought about making a difference, now is the perfect time!
If you’re representing a company or organization:
- Sponsor volunteer training so our responders have the skills they need to provide life-changing support.
- Encourage employee giving by setting up a corporate matching campaign to double their impact.
- Host a company event creating gift bags for those who give their time to support our community.
Email us here for more information on any of these activities!
Messages from Those We’ve Helped
Our volunteers may never meet the people they support in person, but their impact is profound. Here’s what some of those who have reached out to us had to say over the years:
- “It’s important to support Distress Centre because of the number of suicide calls they respond to. We are glad to know the crisis line is there for someone else’s son or daughter… any time day or night. Not everyone has someone they can talk to and who will listen to them when the pain is overwhelming. Thank you Distress Centre.”
- “When a person has the courage to ask for help, help should be there. Distress Centre ensures that it is. They save lives every day and help others to find a new starting point.”
- “It was exactly what I needed right then.”
- “Overcoming my recent mental health battles is my life’s greatest achievement. I struggled a lot and for a long time, but I didn’t struggle in isolation because I had Distress Centre.”
Because of our volunteers, thousands of people have found comfort, strength, and hope during difficult times.
Sign up for our newsletter to learn more about the impact of our volunteers.
Join Us in Supporting Volunteers
This month, let’s show our appreciation for the incredible volunteers who make our work possible. Whether you donate, share, or get involved, every action helps ensure that crisis support remains available to those who need it most.
Make a donation in honor of our volunteers today!
