Outreach

Alpha House’s Outreach programs include mobile response teams covering different areas and roles throughout the city: Needle Response, Encampment, Ambassador, Transit, and the HELP (formerly DOAP) Team.

THE HELP TEAM - 403 998 7388

Call the HELP Team for situations involving homelessness and public intoxication. For more assistance in determining when the HELP Team may be necessary, see below examples.

Please call the HELP TEAM when:
  • A non-emergent concern regarding intoxicated, unhoused individuals arises
  • An unhoused individual requires a ride to a safe place to sleep
  • A vulnerable individual who is intoxicated, but not in distress, may need assistance
  • An individual or group are consuming alcohol or other substances in public spaces

Please call 911 when:
  • An individual is in medical distress, is unresponsive (not just sleeping), has blue lips, or is experiencing a suspected overdose
  • A significant physical injury has occurred and medical attendion seems required
  • A crime or act of violence has happened or is currently in progress
  • A weapon or threat of weapon is present

OUTREACH PROGRAMS

HELP (formerly DOAP) TEAM 403 998 7388

HELP TEAM

  • Stands for Human-centered Engagement Liaison and Partnership (HELP)
  • Initiated in 2005 as a mobile diversion response to streel level intoxication
  • Consists of mobile teams covering a variety of areas across the city of Calgary
  • Works closely with Calgary Police Services and Emergency Medical Services to reduce unnecessary and inappropriate uses when these services are not needed
  • Responds to calls from businesses, community members, and other homeless-serving agencies
  • Facilitates individual’s access and entry to the local service systems of shelters, health care, addiction treatment, and supportive housing

The program provides a model of how to engage with vulnerable persons. A social return on investment (SROI) demonstrated that for every dollar invested in the Program, there is a social return of $9.43.

4,734

unique clients served by the HELP (formerly DOAP) Team in FY25-26

76,179

HELP Team interactions with clients in FY25-26

29,706

calls from community members requesting HELP Team services in FY25-26

Encampment Team 403 805 7388

  • Consists of five mobile response teams working with the City of Calgary Bylaw
  • Support “rough sleepers” to navigate them into appropriate supports including shelter, detox, and housing programs
  • Provide clients with access to the shelter clinic, food and water, basic needs supplies…etc.

 

1,484

unique clients worked with in FY25-26

8,803

interactions with clients in FY25-26

Needle Response Team 403 796 5334

  • Began in January 2019
  • Consists of one mobile response unit cleaning up needle and needle debris on public and private property
  • Patrols “hot spots” looking for needle debris
  • Responds to calls from community/business members to safely dispose of needle/needle debris
  • Gives presentations to educate the public on how to safely dispose of needles and needle debris

892

calls from the public for needle debris pickup in FY25-26

51,779

Needle debris collected in FY25-26

Ambassador Teams

  • Alpha House operates 2 Ambassador Programs: Ambassadors and Downtown Ambassadors
  • The Ambassadors work with businesses in the following areas:
    • 17th Ave
    • 4th St.
    • Beltline
    • Chinatown
    • Victoria Park
    • Downtown Calgary
  • Responds to calls from businesses in the above areas needing support with incidences related to homelessness/substance use
  • Work with street-involved individuals towards needed services: shelter, basic needs supplies, housing etc.
  • Advocate for Alpha House clients, share about services, and support greater understanding of homelessness in the community

1,402

business engagements completed in FY25-26

8,182

client interactions in FY25-26

Transit Teams

  • Began in 2019 as a partnership with Calgary Transit
  • Consists of mobile response teams (one Alpha House worker with one Transit Peace Officer)
  • Responds to calls from transit riders, transit help phone, and city calls to support those on the trains or platforms needing support related to homelessness
  • Work with street-involved individuals towards needed services: shelter, basic needs supplies, housing etc.
  • Advocate for Alpha House clients, share about services, and support greater understanding of homelessness in the community

4,974

Transit Team interactions with clients in FY25-26

999

unique clients supported in FY25-26