The Charity Challenge
Run for You. Run For Community.
The 2023 Charity Challenge is open and, again this year, it is fully integrated into your race registration.
The Charity Challenge unites the spirit of runners with a unique fundraising program with the main purpose of creating Healthy Communities that Thrive Together. Make your run more meaningful by helping one of our official Charities reach their goals while you're achieving yours!
Giving Since 2003
Congratulations on helping surpass $84 million!
The Servus Charity Challenge is an integral part of this community event.
The 2022 Calgary Marathon Charity Challenge raised over $400,000 for 73 local charities to help young people reach their infinite potential, and build vibrant communities! In its twelve year history, the Charity Challenge has helped raise more than $9.5 million in Calgary.
Make your run more meaningful by helping one of our official Charities reach their goals while you are achieving yours! Set up a fundraising page or make a direct donation during your race registration.
Check out the Official Charity list below.
Take up the Challenge
Our Official Charities.
Explore our list of official charities below.
Through the work of community groups and volunteers, BB4CK provides lunches for approximately 4,200 kids each school day. Lunches are prepared in our main kitchen, and in various other locations by community groups including retirees, parent groups and local businesses.
Nourishment is available to any young person who arrives at school without enough to eat. BB4CK works with school staff members to identify needs and to plan how best to make sure hungry students get the nutrition required to think clearly and learn. By enabling better education outcomes, BB4CK gives students a hand up, not just a handout.
Through the work of community groups and volunteers, BB4CK provides lunches for approximately 4,200 kids each school day. Lunches are prepared in our main kitchen, and in various other locations by community groups including retirees, parent groups and local businesses.
Nourishment is available to any young person who arrives at school without enough to eat. BB4CK works with school staff members to identify needs and to plan how best to make sure hungry students get the nutrition required to think clearly and learn. By enabling better education outcomes, BB4CK gives students a hand up, not just a handout.
Cassie + Friends is the only charity in Canada dedicated 100% to the pediatric rheumatic disease community. Since 2007, we’ve raised over $1.5 million dollars to transform the lives of kids and families affected by Juvenile Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
Working with patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers and other friends, we provide life-changing support, education, community and research to help kids and families face the ups and downs of life with a chronic condition.
The Calgary Police Foundation (CPF) was established to partner exclusively with the Calgary Police Service (CPS). The CPF funds six youth-based programs with the goal of reduced youth victimization and criminal activity. This is done by focusing on education, prevention and early intervention.
The CPF targets areas where the need is greatest and implements these programs where they will have the most impact on our children, youth and families. CPF funded programs educate and assist our local youth, and help to ensure Calgary is a great place to live and raise our families.
Our mission is to provide services that foster inclusion, independence and recreation for individuals with disabilities and medical conditions.
For almost 70 years, Easter Seals Alberta has supported individuals with disabilities and medical conditions. We strive to ensure that the resources they need for an independent and full life are available.
The Canadian Liver Foundation is committed to improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of liver disease in Canada. We are proud to be able to support Canada’s top liver experts as well as promising new investigators and trainees who are tackling this growing health crisis. Together we are answering questions: together we are bringing liver research to life.
The MS Society provides services to people with multiple sclerosis and their families and funds research to find the cause and cure for this disease. We have a membership of over 7,000 and are the only national voluntary organization in Canada that supports both MS research and services. Since our founding in 1948, the core support of the MS Society has been from tens of thousands of dedicated individuals, companies and foundations in communities across Canada. The Society receives almost no funding from government.
Take up the Challenge
Our Official Charities.
Click on an alphabet letter to jump directly to that letter.
New charities are added regularly. If you don’t see a charity you would like to support in our list, please contact charitychallenge@calgarymarathon.com and we will look into getting them signed up so you can donate and/or start fundraising for them.
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The Alberta Cancer Foundation is the official fundraising partner for all 17 Alberta Health Services cancer centres across the province, including the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. What sets us apart? We focus on investing in projects that reduce cancer risk, detect cancer earlier, treat the disease more effectively and improve the quality of life of patients facing cancer across Alberta.
The ALS Society of Alberta strives to make each day the best possible day for people living with and affected by ALS. We are dedicated to “making it possible” for our clients and their families by providing support, facilitating the provision of care, promoting awareness, helping to find a cure and advocating for change throughout the ALS community. These core pillars are achieved by focusing on our main values and guiding principles which include; respect, caring, service, accountability, passion and quality of life. By applying these values and guiding principles to the work that we do every single day, we believe that we are making each day for those living with and affected by ALS, the best possible day.
Alzheimer Society of Calgary is a local non-profit organization. As a leader in our community, we strive to ensure people with dementia, their families and caregivers have access to high-quality education, care and support throughout their journey of impact. We are committed to treating persons with dementia and their caregivers with respect, dignity and compassion at all times, providing them with the confidence and knowledge to make informed choices. As a voice and advocate for those impacted by Dementia (including Alzheimer’s Disease), we envision an increased capacity in our community to support and care for persons impacted which in turn enhances quality of life for those struggling with a new reality. For thousands of local families, this is where community, insight and empowerment begin.
Brain injury, including stroke can have a devastating impact on survivors and their families. The ARBI approach blends science and compassion to create hope for survivors.
Survivors are your family and friends…members of your community.
ARBI provides intensive community-based rehabilitation and family support in a nurturing environment. With personalized rehabilitation, and lots of encouragement, survivors can once again enjoy fulfilling lives in their communities. Building on strengths, families can pave the way for the future with confidence and optimism.
Dedicated to Making Life Better, our team helps clients achieve meaningful goals so they can attain their best possible quality of life.
We see meaningful relationships develop, independence regained and life after brain injury lived with passion and purpose.
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For over 40 years, Baby’s Breath has been Canada’s only national foundation focused on SIDS, and more recently also dedicated to supporting families and encouraging research aimed at reducing all sudden and unexpected infant deaths including stillbirths. The death of an infant is devastating not only for the parents, but for the entire family. Siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends are all affected by the sudden death of a baby. Baby’s Breath believes no one should endure the grief of such loss alone. Our foundation and grief counsellors are here to help.
BEAM Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to improving the mental health and wellbeing of kids & youth in Calgary, Alberta. Our mission is to provide accessible and affordable wellness programs to children and youth who are sick, recovering, have special needs, or who come from low-income backgrounds.
Positioned for a purpose in that place! Equipping national leaders and influencers to become followers of Jesus and effective disciples by providing professional vocational skill training. To establish strategic international partnerships providing resources and materials to support local educational and humanitarian relief projects in S.E. Africa.
Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids works to inspire others to feed and care for kids. We dream of a future where no kid goes hungry – where the community comes together to feed and care for kids. With generosity, support and care from the BB4CK community, we feed more than 5,000 kids every day, through our in-school lunch and grocery card programs.
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The Calgary Food Bank is the first line of emergency food support for families and individuals facing crisis. As the city’s main charitable food hub and the most accessible food bank we have the capacity to serve families, individuals and organizations to fight hunger. We rely solely on the generous support of the community and people like you!
The Calgary Society for Persons with Disabilities (CSPD) makes it their mission to provide support to adults with developmental disabilities to reach their greatest potential through quality residential services and community access.
At the CSPD, it’s more than just providing services; it’s creating a family. Persons with disabilities are paired up with friends and caregivers in an atmosphere where everyone feels as connected as family. It feels like home.
The Calgary Chapter of the Canadian Celiac Association is a volunteer based federally registered charitable organization that serves people with celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity and dermatitis herpetiformis. The Calgary Chapter offers support, information, programs and events to its members; most of whom reside in Calgary and Southern Alberta. With research incentives and programs powered by our donors, community networking, and mutual support, we are regaining power over our disease, our bodies, and our lives.
The Canadian Liver Foundation is committed to improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of liver disease in Canada. We are proud to be able to support Canada’s top liver experts as well as promising new investigators and trainees who are tackling this growing health crisis. Together we are answering questions: together we are bringing liver research to life.
It is Canadian Mental Health Association – Calgary Region’s (CMHA Calgary) mission to be a leader in reducing the impact of mental illness and addiction in community. For more than 60 years, we have provided a person and family centered integrated service model focused on early intervention and prevention of a mental health or substance use concern that delivers a measurable increase in community resiliency. Our long standing belief is that recovery is possible. Our recovery model focuses on wellness by shifting the emphasis from a narrow, limiting view of a diagnosis, towards empowering individuals, building their strengths, resiliency and hope for a meaningful life. This recovery is demonstrated in the advancement of Peer Support where individuals with personal experience of a mental health or substance use concern are trained to support others through shared understanding and hope.
Canadian Pony Club has a history of over 80 years in Canada. We are a non-profit volunteer run organization with youth aged 6 to 25 years and our Horse Masters aged 21 and up. We rely solely on membership fees and fundraising to run our program successfully. Canadian Pony Clubs mission is to build confident, competitive and knowledgeable individuals in a safe, friendly environment through their passion for horses. While “feeding the need” for horses our members have experiences that work towards our motto of “Loyalty, Character and Sportsmanship” as well as developing skills like teamwork, leadership, respect for authority, organization, personal discipline, compassion and goal setting. Pony Club prepares members for good horsemanship and also to become capable and productive citizens.
Canadian Pony Club has a history of over 80 years in Canada. We are a non-profit volunteer run organization with youth aged 6 to 25 years and our Horse Masters aged 21 and up. We rely solely on membership fees and fundraising to run our program successfully. Canadian Pony Clubs mission is to build confident, competitive and knowledgeable individuals in a safe, friendly environment through their passion for horses. While “feeding the need” for horses our members have experiences that work towards our motto of “Loyalty, Character and Sportsmanship” as well as developing skills like teamwork, leadership, respect for authority, organization, personal discipline, compassion and goal setting. Pony Club prepares members for good horsemanship and also to become capable and productive citizens.
Canadian Pony Club has a history of over 80 years in Canada. We are a non-profit volunteer run organization with youth aged 6 to 25 years and our Horse Masters aged 21 and up. We rely solely on membership fees and fundraising to run our program successfully. Canadian Pony Clubs mission is to build confident, competitive and knowledgeable individuals in a safe, friendly environment through their passion for horses. While “feeding the need” for horses our members have experiences that work towards our motto of “Loyalty, Character and Sportsmanship” as well as developing skills like teamwork, leadership, respect for authority, organization, personal discipline, compassion and goal setting. Pony Club prepares members for good horsemanship and also to become capable and productive citizens.
CanLearn Society helps children, youth, adults and families living with literacy, learning, attention and related mental health challenges to learn and thrive.
We believe that learning changes lives, brings hope and improves quality of life.
We believe that individuals with learning, literacy and attention difficulties can achieve their full potential and become contributing members to society in a supportive and collaborative community.
carya is a social profit agency dedicated to creating strong families and communities for generations.
Since 1910, carya has supported individuals and families through counselling, education, community development and in-home assistance, school-based support and more. We help thousands of Calgarians every year to realize their potential.
This helps build meaningful, thriving relationships in our families and communities.
Cassie + Friends is the only charity in Canada dedicated 100% to the pediatric rheumatic disease community. Since 2007, we’ve raised over $1.5 million dollars to transform the lives of kids and families affected by Juvenile Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
Working with patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers and other friends, we provide life-changing support, education, community and research to help kids and families face the ups and downs of life with a chronic condition.
Children First Canada is a strong, effective and independent voice for all children in Canada.
We have a bold and ambitious vision that together we can make Canada the best place in the world for kids to grow up.© We are mobilizing an alliance of Canada’s leading children’s charities and hospitals, research institutes, corporations that invest in kids, teachers, parents and kids themselves. We are improving children’s well-being by building greater awareness among Canadians about the urgent needs of kids in our country, and mobilizing government and other key influencers to change the status quo.
Building strong children and safe nurturing families through prevention programs and support services.
Children’s Cottage Society is dedicated to building strong healthy children and safe nurturing families through prevention programs and support services. We work with families to increase protective factors and decrease risk factors as a strategy to promote child development, effective and nurturing parenting, and to support and strengthen family functioning. These efforts keep our promise to children, “to help your parents keep you safe so that you can grow up to be healthy and happy.”
Community Links is a non-profit registered charity that serves Airdrie and area. Community Links provides services and support across the lifespan from pregnancy and birth right up to seniors. Our mission is “To inspire hope, support healthy development, strengthen wellbeing and resiliency by connecting individuals and families to services, supports, and resources in our communities”.
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Discovery House provides a continuum of care to women and their children fleeing domestic violence. We facilitate transitional housing, offering longer-term, safe places for women and children to call home while they begin rebuilding their lives. We provide mothers access to counselling, support and programs to ensure they never return to abusive partners. We work directly with children, to mitigate the effects of trauma and prevent the cycle from repeating.
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Our mission is to provide services that foster inclusion, independence and recreation for individuals with disabilities and medical conditions.
For almost 70 years, Easter Seals Alberta has supported individuals with disabilities and medical conditions. We strive to ensure that the resources they need for an independent and full life are available.
Our foundation hosts the Calgary LGBTQ+ Refugee Centre; the Calgary Rainbow Railroad Station, settling SOGIESC refugees from outside Canada; a donation centre for refugees; and a variety of volunteer run support groups and mentor services. We host the National SOCIESC Sponsorship Fund designed to help sponsor LGBTQ+ refugees anywhere in Canada. We are dedicated to all people of any sexual orientation and gender identity (LGBTQ+ or SOGIESC), whether they are long-time citizens, or new Canadian refugees, or immigrants.
Our mission is to support independence, quality of life and community participation for those with and those affected by epilepsy. The purpose of The Epilepsy Association of Calgary is a charitable social service agency established to address community, individual and family needs related to epilepsy.
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FACE was founded by parents who realized their children with physical disabilities needed a safe space to work on their therapy to ensure their bodies remained supple to reduce pain, increase independence and strength and most importantly enhance their overall wellbeing. FACE provides a unique therapy called Conductive Education which does not limit children with movement delays to their wheelchairs. Without such a program these children are at risk of contractures which restricts their bodies as they lose the ability to move, or for some children they will lose strength to hold themselves up. Movement is the essence of keeping them mentally engaged and part of their community and FACE ensure they have fun while learning essential skills for life.
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Green Calgary is an urban environmental charity dedicated to engaging, inspiring, and empowering Calgarians to create healthy homes, communities, and businesses by providing environmental education, products, services, and hands-on support. A multi-layered, educational approach has helped us support tens of thousands of Calgarians in leading a greener lifestyle because we know that only by working together can we ensure a healthy city and a healthy planet.
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Heart & Stroke is a leading funder of life-saving research, which has led to breakthroughs such as heart transplant surgery and a revolutionary stroke treatment that cuts the death rate by 50%. We empower Canadians to live healthier lives — from preventing and controlling high blood pressure to getting more physical activity. And we fight for change that will create better health for all, such as reducing salt in the food supply and improving access to stroke rehabilitation.
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For over 20 years, Inn from the Cold has provided emergency shelter and support to Calgary’s most vulnerable. Today, Inn from the Cold integrates a Housing First philosophy into all its programs and services to assist families in housing crisis to achieve independence. From diversion and prevention, to emergency shelter and housing with supports, the Inn provides a robust continuum of care designed to address poverty, homelessness and housing insecurity. Working collaboratively within Calgary’s family-sector of the homeless-serving system of care, the Inn’s Social Return on Investment provides a $4.63 of social and economic value for every dollar invested in its emergency shelter and housing programs. For more information visit: www.innfromthecold.org.
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Kerby Centre is a not-for-profit organization committed to enhancing the lives of older adults in Alberta. Kerby Centre is one of Canada’s flagship agencies, setting the standard for older adult services, information, and programming. Our mission – To assist older people to live as well as possible for as long as possible as residents in the community.
We believe that no kid should be left on the sidelines and all should be given the opportunity to experience the positive benefits of organized sports. KidSport provides support to children in order to remove financial barriers that prevent them from playing organized sport. We do this by:-Raising funds to provide sport opportunities for kids facing financial barriers.-Promoting the KidSport mission to other community agencies with a view to creating strategic alliances to support sport participation and physical activity opportunities for kids.-Advocating the importance of all kids having access to sport programs and advocate the value and benefit of kids playing sport in the pursuit of lifelong health and wellness.
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Our vision is to spread the loving, caring and sharing associated with Christmas, the most joyous time of the year to those in need in hospitals, care centres, shelters, and the community through the delivery of toys, gifts and food by teams of Santa and Elves.
In 2022, we visited 800 families and 23 care centres and shelters on Christmas Eve. As a 100% volunteer run charity, donations are used to go to families who can benefit the most.
We all need energy. It is as simple — and complex — as that.
Every one of us is fueled by trillions of microscopic powerhouses called mitochondria. These tiny, mighty, energy-producing structures generate the energy we need to survive. Our major organs use the most energy so when mitochondria fail, we struggle to think, breath, move and live. We are all at risk of inheriting or developing mitochondrial disease. It can affect anyone at any age. There is no cure.
There is, however, hope! MitoCanada is dedicated to ensuring that all lives are powered by healthy mitochondria. We are the only Canadian charity dedicated to mitochondrial support, education, awareness and research.
The MS Society provides services to people with multiple sclerosis and their families and funds research to find the cause and cure for this disease. We have a membership of over 7,000 and are the only national voluntary organization in Canada that supports both MS research and services. Since our founding in 1948, the core support of the MS Society has been from tens of thousands of dedicated individuals, companies and foundations in communities across Canada. The Society receives almost no funding from government.
Not only do we support our world class researchers, but we also provide opportunities to help educate Albertans about myeloma, advocate for the best available treatments, and provide much needed support to those who live with this disease. We know that by coming together as a community, we are better equipped to live life well despite of this diagnosis. We will have great giveaways at our table this year and look forward to our first Servus Calgary Marathon.
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Ovarian Cancer Canada champions the health and wellbeing of women with ovarian cancer and others at risk of this disease while advancing research to save lives. As the only registered Canadian charity solely dedicated to overcoming ovarian cancer, the organization provides leadership in research, advocacy, and support, so that women live fuller, better, longer lives.
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Pancreatic Cancer Canada is committed to raising the survival rate through major investments in research and increased awareness of the disease among the general public and healthcare professionals, while ensuring patients and their families have access to the specialized care and support they need at every stage.
Parkinson Canada is the voice of Canadians living with Parkinson’s disease. From diagnosis to discovery. You can count on us to be there at every step of your Parkinson’s journey. We provide education and services to support you, your family and your health team, online, by telephone and in person.
Parkinson Canada advocates with federal, provincial and territorial governments on issues that matter to the Parkinson’s community in Canada. The Parkinson Canada Research Program funds innovative research to search for better treatments and a cure. Parkinson Canada is an Imagine Canada accredited organization.
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Ronald McDonald House Charities® Alberta supports families seeking vital medical treatment for their seriously ill or injured child. Our warm, compassionate Houses provide a home-away-from-home for families who need to travel for medical reasons. When those families are experiencing one of life’s most difficult times – we offer them the gift of togetherness.
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STARS is an air ambulance service that provides critical emergency medicine and rapid transport to those who might not otherwise have access to timely, vital care. We reach remote facilities, rural communities, recreational sites, secluded backcountry areas and often isolated incidents. We also facilitate safe patient transfer to major medical centres when time is of the essence and community hospitals don’t have the tools, equipment or expertise to handle cases of severe illness or trauma.
In the decades since, Spinal Cord Injury Canada has been a part of substantial change that has helped individuals with spinal cord injury and other disabilities from coast to coast. The need for services for those with spinal cord injury and other physical disabilities is as important today as it was in 1945. In fact, this need will continue to grow.
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Terminator Foundation strives to reach individuals with mental health, addiction, and trauma issues to support their health and wellness journey using our cutting-edge ‘ Activity Based Recovery Therapy’, which applies the three disciplines of triathlon: swimming, biking, and running. For more information on the program or to get involved please visit our website: www.terminatorfoundation.com
The mission of The Doorway is making change possible by empowering people to take steps toward a sustainable future. The Doorway provides an opportunity for young people (17-30 years old), who want to exit the streets, to build independent and sustainable lives in society through self-determination. The Doorway uses a two-year planning process called MyPlan to support young people’s self-determination in identifying and determining for themselves what they need to do to get off the streets. This process helps young people identify immediate needs and challenges to plan for longer term change. Through goal setting and speaking with volunteers, young people gain the knowledge to actively participate in the change they want to make in their lives. We are a community here to listen without judgement and to give young people a safe space where they can tap into their innate wisdom and chart their own path forward.
Positioned for a purpose in that place! Equipping national leaders and influencers to become followers of Jesus and effective disciples by providing professional vocational skill training. To establish strategic international partnerships providing resources and materials to support local educational and humanitarian relief projects in S.E. Africa.
Trellis is a Calgary-based social services agency that grew from the amalgamation of Boys & Girls Clubs of Calgary and Aspen Family & Community Network Society on June 15, 2020. Growing from a combined history of 117 years, Trellis is building on the work of both legacy organizations to offer a comprehensive continuum of 33 programs for over 9,000 people each year designed to support children, youth, families and communities. The programs and services offered open a path upward for people from all sorts of backgrounds, including those caught at the intersection of society’s most complex needs.
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At the Women in Need Society we help vulnerable women and their families who are currently experiencing poverty or homelessness. We provide basic needs such as food, clothing, and affordable furniture to vulnerable Calgarians. We also offer essential employment programs focused around foundational life and family skills. Every year, we help more than 7,000 Calgarians and their families on their journey towards a more empowered and resilient life.
The Women’s Centre is a safe and supportive space accessed by thousands of women in Calgary every year. We believe in the potential of every woman, and that women are strong and capable. We also know that barriers in society often stop women from living the lives they want. The Centre’s mission is to be every woman’s place for support, connections and community.
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We are a non-profit Sanctuary dedicated to driving awareness and education surrounding wolfdog ownership. Our passionate group of animal lovers delivers educational programs, informational resources and assists in homing wolfdogs that have been neglected, abandoned, or otherwise displaced.
YCC – Youth Centres of Calgary is a grassroots home, an oasis located in a community where many of the children do not have access to safety, healthy role models, sports coaching, music lessons and many more of the developmental influences most Calgary kids have every day. YCC’s kids aged 9-16 can spend a few wonderful hours of after school time interacting with others and doing what kids love to do after school. This includes making new friends, gaining wisdom from ‘cool’ adult volunteers, free access to technology and homework help, music lessons, and access to sports equipment, games and art supplies. They can also get a healthy hot meal before they leave at 6:00pm, ready to take on the challenges of their lives. The aim of the program is to reduce the effects of cyclical poverty and to address the multitude of problems associated with vulnerable youth growing up in Calgary’s tipping point communities. This recent year has been particularly difficult for many families. There has been job loss, unpredictability, mental health concerns, and so much more. Our youth are increasingly affected by these troubling times in their homes and at school.
YCC’s work is ongoing, and impactful in the lives of many Calgary youth.
We believe that nourished youth can live happy, resilient and healthy lives.
The Executive Director of YCC was named Calgary’s Citizen of the Year for 2022.
