Mustard Seed Calgary

Housing & Poverty📍 Calgary, AB

Providing emergency shelter, meals, and support services to Calgary's homeless and vulnerable populations.

About Our Mission

To reduce homelessness by providing emergency shelter, meals, and comprehensive support services that help individuals achieve stability and independence.

Our Impact

Annual Impact
Serves 1,500+ individuals daily
Total Impact
Over 40 years serving Calgary's homeless
Programs
25+ shelter and support programs

Our Programs

  • Emergency shelter services
  • Meal programs and food services
  • Addiction recovery programs
  • Mental health support
  • Employment and life skills training
  • Housing placement assistance

Volunteer Requirements

Minimum Age

18+ for most roles, 21+ for overnight shelter shifts

Time Commitment

6 months minimum, 4-6 hours per week

Training

Homelessness awareness and de-escalation training, 12-16 hours

Police Check

Required with vulnerable sector screening; organization covers cost

ID Requirements

2 pieces of government photo ID, health screening form

Family Volunteering

Kitchen and special events only; no shelter floor contact

Application Process

Application → interview → reference check → training → supervised shifts

Application Volume

High demand — bi-weekly orientation sessions

Volunteer Opportunities

Shelter Support Volunteer

Provide direct support to individuals staying in emergency shelter.

Schedule

Daily shifts: 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM, 10:00 PM - 6:00 AM

Time Commitment

Minimum 4 hours per week

Qualifications Required

Crisis intervention skills, de-escalation training, physical and emotional resilience

What You'll Do

  • Client check-ins
  • Conflict resolution
  • Resource referrals
  • Safety monitoring
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Meal Service Volunteer

Help prepare and serve meals in our community dining room.

Schedule

Daily meal times: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Time Commitment

Minimum 3 hours per week

Qualifications Required

Food safety training provided, teamwork skills, compassionate attitude

What You'll Do

  • Meal preparation
  • Food service
  • Dining room supervision
  • Kitchen cleanup
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Addiction Recovery Peer

Support individuals in addiction recovery programs.

Schedule

Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (flexible)

Time Commitment

Minimum 6 hours per week for 1 year

Qualifications Required

Personal recovery experience preferred, peer support training, strong boundaries

What You'll Do

  • One-on-one peer support
  • Group facilitation
  • Recovery coaching
  • Relapse prevention
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Employment Services Assistant

Help clients with job searches, resume writing, and interview preparation.

Schedule

Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Time Commitment

Minimum 4 hours per week

Qualifications Required

HR or career counseling experience, computer skills, patience

What You'll Do

  • Resume assistance
  • Job search coaching
  • Interview practice
  • Skills assessment
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Outreach Volunteer

Connect with homeless individuals on the streets to offer services.

Schedule

Various times including evenings and weekends

Time Commitment

Minimum 4 hours per week

Qualifications Required

Street outreach experience preferred, crisis de-escalation skills, physical stamina

What You'll Do

  • Street outreach
  • Service connections
  • Emergency assistance
  • Relationship building
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Contact Information

Phone
(403) 269-1319
Location
Calgary, AB

Current Donation Needs

  • Warm clothing and winter gear
  • Personal hygiene products
  • Non-perishable food items
  • Sleeping bags and blankets
  • Bus tickets and phone cards