Change powered by youth

Our impact is powered by youth, supported by the community, and felt across Calgary. This is what happens when young people are given the chance to lead, connect, and make a difference. 

IMAGINE YOU’RE A TEENAGER

Everyday is an endless cycle of moving between school, homework, and doom scrolling through social media. Hours pass online, but you still feel disconnected. You want to make more friends, try new things, gain experience, and feel part of something meaningful—but you’re not sure how or where to start.

That’s why creating spaces for youth to connect, contribute, and grow matters more than ever.

Declining mental health

Many students report poor or below-average mental health, and often experience feelings of loneliness. 

Calgary Foundation, 2024 Quality of Life Report

Too much screen time

Youth spend an average of 7.8 hours a day spent on screens, much of their time is now lived online than in the real-world.

Youth Central, 2025 Youth Quality of Life Report

High unemployment

Youth unemployment in Alberta is one of the highest in Canada, with an increasing competitive job market.

Government of Alberta. (2026).

Unemployment rate. Alberta Economic Dashboard.

Rising costs of living

Extracurricular activities can cost families over $1,000 per year on average, making access uneven for many youth.

Money Sense (2025, November 25), How much are Canadian families really spending on extracurricular activities

How we 
help Youth

Through our various leadership programs, volunteering, and youth-led initiatives, young people are finding their community. They’re getting out and showing up as their best selves.

Confidence

95% of Youth Central participants report an increase in life and social skills, like communication and confidence.

Leadership

93% of Youth Central participants report an increase in teamwork and communication skills. More youth are feeling more confident to guide and inspire others on issues that matter.

Belonging

95% of Youth Central participants report that since joining, they’ve formed genuine and lifelong friendships.

Purpose

Youth Central participants have discovered a new drive and passion for community engagement. They’re seeing firsthand how they can make a real difference.

  • “Youth Central has become such a huge part of my identity, and I really appreciate all the work you all have done to make me who I am and continue to make me a better person!”

    Youth Central Participant

  • “My time at Youth Central has been the best ever in my entire life, I always try to learn something at each project I attend and each project has made me better than I ever was… and is [allowed] me to be myself more around people I don't know and be more open than I ever thought I could be!”

    Youth Central Participant

  • “[It’s] nice to be able to get away from the competition and stress of school and work on projects I truly enjoyed, while [making] so many cool friends along the way.”

    Youth Central Participant

  • “[Youth Central] offered me something to hold onto… I was doing something good… [it] helped me through what could have been a very rough time for me.”

    Youth Central Participant

  • “With each Youth Central volunteer project, I started finding confidence in not only myself, but also about how I make a positive impact.”

    Youth Central Participant

  • “Youth Central was honestly transformative to me and my development of both empathy and community. This is a space where my ideas are prioritized.”

    Youth Central Participant

  • “I take initiative more often and confidently now. I can remember instructions more easily now and follow tasks more easily, so now I can do things at school more confidently like lead projects and ask for extensions. I've also been able to talk to people way more easily now, I'm much less socially anxious than I was before, and actually made new friends in classes and activities now.”

    Youth Central Participant

Benefits
FoR the community

Our work doesn’t stop with youth. By connecting them to real opportunities, we help power projects, events, and causes across Calgary.

2.8k+

youth registered as of 2026

140+

Calgary organizations supported

870+

community-building projects

*across 9 programs

  • “We always struggle to find volunteers. Having a core group of youths to support us has been critical to the success of our events.”

    Carla Obuck, President – 
Auburn Bay Community Association

Our supporters

Annual reports
& Audited financials

2024–2025

Annual report
financials
2023–2024

Annual report
financials
2022–2023

Annual report
financials

Registered Charity Information Return

Information related to the compensation of Youth Central Society staff and management is available by accessing the Registered Charity Information Return (T3010) linked below.

View financials

Support youth in Calgary

Empower the next generation to lead, volunteer, and grow. Join us in providing Calgary youth with the tools to build their skills and shape a more vibrant community today. 

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