Outreach

HELP TEAM

citywide

403.998.7388

• 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.

 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.

 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

• 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

• 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