Calgary Outlink

Applications are open for our peer support volunteer roles! Volunteers are at the heart of our community programming, and are essential in making peer support for 2SLGBTQ+ communities possible. To learn more about our volunteer roles, and to find the application form, visit the volunteer page on our website (link in bio). Apply by Sunday, April 12th. [ID: 1. Ad for volunteer recruitment at Calgary Outlink. Inside a computer window is the following text: “Volunteer with Calgary Outlink! Applications are now open for our different peer support roles: support line volunteer, group facilitator, and peer mentor.” Below is a rectangle with more text that reads, “Swipe to learn more.” 2. Role description for support line volunteers. There is a text box to the left with a list of requirements for the role: “Provide peer support for others in the 2SLGBTQ+ community using our non-crisis line, receive training to connect and hold space for folks with various issues, 6 month commitment (July - December 2026), 4 to 5 hours per month, applicants must be age 18+.” On the right is a graphic of a person talking on the phone. 3. Role description for drop-in peer support: “Provide 1-on-1 peer support on a drop-in basis to community members who are looking for support in person and on the phone. Office administration as needed. 6 month commitment (July-December 2026) Applicants must be age 18+.” 4. Role description for group facilitators, contained in a text box to the left: “Help run our community groups for 2SLGBTQ+ community members, learn how to facilitate a group and build your facilitation skills, 6 month commitment (July - December 2026), applicants must be age 18+. On the right is a graphic of a person sitting on a stool and holding a mug of coffee. 5. Role description for peer mentors, contained in a text box to the left: “Provide some extra community care, support, and guidance to those who are looking for it, make a positive impact on someone’s life, 5 month commitment (August - December 2026), applicants must be age 25+.” On the right is a graphic of a person walking while holding a cup of coffee and a book. /end ID]

Beginning in March, Outlink will be settling into our new office space at Chartwell House. We are excited to be moving into the Rainbow Room, a new Queer hub in Chartwell House, just south of West Kerby Station. We look forward to welcoming you to the new space once we are settled in! Please keep an eye on our social media pages to keep updated on information around accessibility, getting to the new office, and when we are ready to welcome folks into the space for drop-in peer-support and other programming. There will be some disruptions to our services during this transition and as we settle into our new office. Disruptions to services include: Delayed responses to phone calls, emails, and messages. Thursday drop-in peer-support sessions will be paused. Community group meeting locations may vary, keep updated using the Events Page on our website, link in our bio! Disruptions will occur until mid-March. Keep an eye on our social media to stay updated. If you’re in need of support during this period, please reach out to the following resources: The You Matter Support & Resource Line will be running during our move! Call or text (587) 800-4121, or visit our website for online chat. The line is open Monday to Thursday, 5:00 - 8:00 PM; Saturday, 1:00 - 5:00 PM. Trans Lifeline: 1-877-330-6366 (this number is for trans and nonbinary folks specifically). Interligne (24/7): 1-888-505-1010 (help and information for gender and sexually diverse people in Canada). First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line (24/7): 1-855-242-3310 or chat at http://hopeforwellness.ca. [ID: 1. Service Announcement from Calgary Outlink: “We are Moving from 2710 17 Ave SE to 750 11 St SW. Sarting in March, Calgary Outlink will be at the new CommunityWise location.” 2. Service Announcement from Calgary Outlink: "Service Disruptions: Some disruption to services will occur while we move offices including: delayed responses to messages, Thursday drop-in sessions paused, Community group meeting locations may vary. Disruptions will occur until mid-March. Keep an eye on our social media to stay updated!” /end ID]

Peer support is available at Outlink. Please reach out if you are in need of support. We are available during office hours remotely and in-person, and we are still open for drop-ins every Thursday. The You Matter peer support line will be open tonight, and is available Monday to Thursday evenings, along with additional hours on Saturday afternoons. Tonight, Grabba Java will be meeting online. Inside Out Youth Group will be meeting online next Thursday. Our groups are available to hold space for any feelings that are coming up today. We encourage all of us to hold each other, and connect with each other in any way we can so we can create the communities we need for ourselves. All of our services are free and confidential, and will continue to be in the future. At Outlink, we center agency and autonomy - no matter what age you are. We trust people when they tell us who they are, and we trust them to make the decisions that are right for them. We believe in the strength and power of our collective communities. Gender and sexually diverse people of all ages are seen, loved, and wanted. We see you. Fully and without question, we love you; we want you here in all the fullness of who you are. (Image descriptions in comments.)

Outlink will be closed on Monday, May 18th for the stat holiday. The staff team will not be available to answer phone calls or emails, but we will be back on Tuesday, May 19th during regular business hours. The You Matter Support & Resource Line will still be available in the evening (5:00 - 8:00 PM). [ID: Office closure notice from Calgary Outlink. It reads, “Out of office - Monday, May 18th,” with Outlink’s logo beside the text. The background is yellow, with various colored shapes surrounding the text. In the bottom right corner is a cartoon graphic of a person with long hair. They are using a laptop. /end ID]

Looking for a little extra support and community connection? Applications to be a mentee in our 2SLGBTQ+ Peer Mentorship Program are now open! This program is for anyone 13+ (no age limit) who identifies as 2SLGBTQ+ or is questioning and is looking for one-on-one connection and support with a volunteer mentor. The program round will run from August to December. To apply, please visit the link in our bio to fill out the form. The application deadline is Monday, June 1st. If you need assistance in filling out the form, please feel free to reach out to our office number at (403) 234-8973. More information about the program can be found on the mentorship page on our website. [ID: Announcement for Calgary Outlink’s mentorship program. The text reads, “Mentee applications are open! Apply to join Calgary Outlink’s 2SLGBTQ+ Mentorship Program if you’re in need of extra community support and connection from a peer mentor! Apply now at calgaryoutlink.ca/mentorship.” There is a graphic of two cartoon people dancing, with their feet and arms raised. /end ID]

Applications to join Calgary Outlink's peer support programming volunteer team are due tomorrow! For more information and to apply, visit the volunteer page on our website (link in our bio!) [ID: 1. Ad for volunteer recruitment at Calgary Outlink. A white box contains text that reads, “Reminder: volunteer applications are due tomorrow! At the bottom is a graphic of a person typing on a computer. They are wearing an orange hijab, and a pink shirt. 2. Role description for support line volunteers. There is a text box to the left with a list of requirements for the role: “Provide peer support for others in the 2SLGBTQ+ community using our non-crisis line, receive training to connect and hold space for folks with various issues, 6 month commitment (July - December 2026), 4 to 5 hours per month, applicants must be age 18+.” On the right is a graphic of a person talking on the phone. 3. Role description for drop-in peer support. There is a text box to the left with a list of requirements for the role: “Provide 1-on-1 peer support on a drop-in basis to community members who are looking for support in person and on the phone. Office administration as needed. 6 month commitment (July-December 2026) Applicants must be age 18+.” On the right is a graphic of a person holding a folder. 4. Role description for group facilitators, contained in a text box to the left: “Help run our community groups for 2SLGBTQ+ community members, learn how to facilitate a group and build your facilitation skills, 6 month commitment (July - December 2026), applicants must be age 18+. On the right is a graphic of a person sitting on a stool and holding a mug of coffee. 5. Role description for peer mentors, contained in a text box to the left: “Provide some extra community care, support, and guidance to those who are looking for it, make a positive impact on someone’s life, 5 month commitment (August - December 2026), applicants must be age 25+. On the right is a graphic of a person walking while holding a cup of coffee and a book /end ID]

Outlink will be closed all of next week, from April 6th to 9th (we are always closed on Fridays), to give the staff team a chance to rest after our office move and before we enter a busy spring/summer period. Our inboxes and social media messages will not be monitored. Our team will not be available for support calls. We will be back on Monday, April 13th. Our group programming and You Matter: 2SLGBTQ+ Peer Support and Resource Line will be operating as usual. If you’re in need of support while we’re closed, please reach out to the following resources: The You Matter Support & Resource Line will be running during our break with the same hours! Call or text (587) 800-4121, or visit our website for online chat. The line is open Monday to Thursday, 5:00 - 8:00 PM; Saturday, 1:00 - 5:00 PM. Trans Lifeline: 1-877- 330-6366 (this number is for trans and nonbinary folks specifically, but if you wish to contact the Family and Friends Line call the main number and ask for the Family and Friends Line). Interligne (24/7): 1-888-505-1010 (help and information for gender and sexually diverse people in Canada - offered in French and English). Distress Centre (24/7): 403-266-4357. Kids Help Phone (24/7): 1-800-668-6868 or http://kidshelpphone.ca. First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line (24/7): 1-855-242-3310 or chat at http://hopeforwellness.ca. Alberta's One Line for Sexual Violence (call/text): 1-866-403-8000 or chat at https://aasas.ca. Alberta Addiction and Mental Health Helpline (24/7): 1-866-332-2322. Family Violence Information Line (24/7): 310-1818. Mental Health Helpline (24/7): 1-877-303-2642. 211 - general resource and referral line. [ID: Office closure notice from Calgary Outlink. It reads, “Out of office - April 6th - 9th,” with Outlink’s logo beside the text. The background is orange, with various colored shapes surrounding the text. In the bottom right corner is a cartoon graphic of a person sitting in an armchair with their eyes closed. /end ID]

The deadline for volunteer applications at Calgary Outlink is fast approaching! The last chance to apply will be on Sunday, April 12th. If you are looking for ways to make a difference in the community, this is your chance to get involved. To learn more about our volunteer roles, and to find the application form, visit the link in our bio! [ID: Ad for volunteer recruitment at Calgary Outlink. A white box with an orange border contains text that reads, “Reminder: volunteer applications are due soon! https://www.calgaryoutlink.ca/volunteer” In the lower left corner is a graphic of a person typing on a computer. They have short dark hair, and brown skin. They are wearing an orange collared shirt, white pants, and orange shoes. /end ID]

Join us for Grabba Java this Thursday at 6:00 PM on Zoom! This is a casual space for 2SLGBTQ+ folks and allies to come hang out and engage in some friendly conversation! Advance registration is now required for all our Zoom meetings. To find the registration link, go to the link in our bio. [ID: Event poster for Grabba Java at Calgary Outlink: “Grabba Java (online). Looking for a friendly check-in with your community? Grab a drink and join us as we share in each other’s company! This is a safe space for anyone who is a part of 2SLGBTQ+ communities. First Thursdays of the month. Register for the Zoom link at calgaryoutlink.ca/groups.” There is a cartoon graphic of a person holding a takeaway cup of coffee. They have a yellow hat over their short brown hair, and they are wearing a brown coat over their outfit. There is a background of angular shapes in solid rainbow colors, and Outlink’s logo is in the bottom right corner. /end ID]

The deadline for volunteer applications at Calgary Outlink has been extended! The last chance to apply will be on Monday, April 6th, at 10 AM. If you are looking for ways to make a difference in the community, this is your chance to get involved. To learn more about our facilitator and support line volunteer roles, and to find the application form, visit the link in our bio! [ID: Ad for volunteer recruitment at Calgary Outlink. A white box contains text that reads, “Deadline Extended: Volunteer applications are now due April 6th! https://www.calgaryoutlink.ca/volunteer/.” At the bottom is a graphic of a person typing on a computer. They are wearing an orange hijab, and a pink shirt. /end ID]

We are currently accepting applications for new mentors for our mentorship program! We started this program in hopes of bringing communities together, while offering support to those looking for one-on-one connection. We encourage learning from each other’s rich and diverse experiences, and sometimes the best knowledge comes from lived experiences - becoming a mentor would be a great opportunity to share that! While we are seeking mentors of all diverse identities and backgrounds, we are looking for more applicants of the following (based on prior and current need): trans and non-binary folks who are open to sharing insight into identity, transitioning, and coming out; gay, bi, pan, or queer men who have experience with navigating identity and community; folks who have navigated immigrating to Canada; folks who are Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color. For more information and to apply, visit the volunteer page on our website (link in bio)! The application form can also be found there. Please note that all volunteers, regardless of role, will need to attend 30 hours of mandatory training sessions April 28th - May 30th. The deadline for applications is Monday, March 30th, at 10 AM. [ID: Ad for volunteer recruitment at Calgary Outlink. The role is for peer mentors. There is a text box to the left with a list of requirements for the role: “Provide some extra community care, support, and guidance to those who are looking for it, make a positive impact on someone’s life, 6 month commitment (August- December 2026), applicants must be age 25+. There is a smaller text box below: “https://www.calgaryoutlink.ca/volunteer!” On the right is a graphic of a person walking while holding a cup of coffee and a book. /end ID]

Grabba Java will be meeting in-person this Thursday at 6:00 PM! This is a casual space for 2SLGBTQ+ folks and allies to come hang out and engage in some friendly conversation! This week we will be meeting at Rosso Coffee Roasters - Tuxedo (2102 Centre St N). No registration will be required, and we will accept attendees on a drop-in basis. The front entrance is wheelchair-accessible, and free street parking is available in the area. Facilitators will be at a table with a marked sign. There is a wheelchair-accessible + gender-neutral washroom in the café. Nearby bus routes include 3, 300, and 301. If needed, we are able to cover the cost of a drink! For more information, check out the groups page on our website (link in bio). Thank you to @rossocoffeeroasters for providing us a safe and affirming space for us to connect! Public health and safety of our communities is very important to us! Group facilitators are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Wearing a mask is encouraged and encouraged if not having drinks or snacks. If you have any symptoms related to COVID-19 (e.g. fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose), please do not attend. [ID: Event details for Calgary Outlink group meeting in a white box: “Grabba Java (North Meeting). Looking for a friendly check-in with your community? Grab a drink and join us as we share in each other’s company! This is a safe space for anyone who is a part of 2SLGBTQ+ communities. 3rd Thursdays of the month, 6:00 - 7:30 PM. Rosso Coffee Roasters - Tuxedo, 2102 Centre St N.'' There is a cartoon graphic of a person holding a mug of coffee. They have a short lock hairstyle. They are wearing a purple jacket, yellow sweater, dark pants, and loafers. The Outlink logo in the bottom right corner. /end ID]