50 Years of Crisis Support

Volunteering with Distress Centre has changed a lot over the past 50 years. Explore stories from every decade to see how we’ve grown and adapted to support Calgarians in their times of need.

The Grassroots Origins

Distress Centre was established in 1970 as the Drug Information Centre—a grassroots, on-the-ground agency run by volunteers.

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The Drug Information Centre

The Centre was created to handle “bad trips or freak outs” and be welcoming to all, in person or on the phone.

Story #2

Expansion to Banff

Volunteers and staff set up shop in Banff to support youth travelling across Canada experiencing drug, medical, and emotional crises.

Story #4

From Drugs to Distress

A place to call to make things right

Story #7

Volunteers in the 1970s

Volunteers were on the streets and clients were dropping in to stay.

Story #8

Jeanette McEachern Becomes Executive Director

In 1979, Jeanette McEachern began her 18-year tenure, always fighting to keep the agency alive.

Story #10

From Drugs to Crisis Support

Through the 80s, Distress Centre/Drug Centre grew and became more formalized. Staff never lost sight of the tremendous value of volunteers.

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Just Between Teens

Finding new ways to connect with teens, before they experience a crisis.

Story #12

Moving Out of the Old Y

The move from the Old Y to 11th Ave SW allowed for expansion, but created a need for renovation.

Story #13

Lending an Ear in the 80s

There can never be enough staff, so volunteers keep Distress Centre viable.

Story #14

More than a warm heart: A Distress Centre counsellor

Distress Centre was the only agency that offered free, confidential, immediate counselling.

Story #16

Celebrating 20 Years of Support

After 20 years, Distress Centre had a new, expanded mission to reflect the needs of a changing world, but its core functions remained.

Story #17

Adapting to a Changing World

In the 90s, the number of staff and volunteers grew in order to offer more specialized supports for a more diverse Calgary.

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Recovering Youth Addicts Support their Peers

The Youth Drug Line was opened in 1990, giving teens in recovery a way to help other teens with addictions.

Story #18

Opening the Province-Wide Gambling Line

In 1994, with VLTs in bars and casinos, Distress Centre began a gambling addictions line in partnership with AADAC.

Story #19

Growing to 130 Volunteers and 14 Languages

Throughout the 90s, volunteer numbers grew and services reached a more diverse community, including refugees, people with disabilities and the LGBTQ+ community.

Story #22

From Answering Calls to Lifelong Volunteering

Glenda Nyberg volunteered for 19 years between 1983 and 2002.

Story #23

Fundraising in the 90s

The first World’s Largest Garage sale created a welcome 400% increase in money raised.

Story #26

Increasing Accessibility Online

Changes in leadership and technology ensure constant innovation, but volunteers continue to be the heart and soul of Distress Centre.

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Barb Litchinsky Becomes Executive Director

Barb was not only an effective leader, staff appreciated her kindness.

Story #31

The Big Move

With the move to a bigger space and generous donations, Distress Centre entered the new millennium.

Story #33

Just to Hear Another Voice: Volunteers in the 2000s

Despite many predictions, the world did not end at the start of 2000, and volunteers continued to be the heart and soul of Distress Centre.

Story #37

The Teen Line Goes Online

The desire to meet the evolving needs of the teen community was a constant, and a driver of change.

Story #38

Carol Oliver – A Woman With a Mission

With the retirement of Barb Litchinsky, Carol Oliver assumed the role of Executive Director in May 2008.

Story #40

Supporting More Calgarians than Ever

In the past 10 years, Distress Centre has grown to support more Calgarians than ever, by phone, chat, text and in person.

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Counselling for 50 Years

The professional qualifications and duties of Distress Centre counsellors continue to evolve, as does the complexity and number of clients they see.

Story #42

Disaster Relief in Alberta

From the 2013 floods to the Fort McMurray wildfires, refugee crisis and COVID, Distress Centre has always been there.

Story #44

All about SORCe

In 2013, Distress Centre returned to its 1970 street-level roots by offering a walk-in only service for Calgary’s most vulnerable.

Story #45

Joan Roy: From Practicum to Executive Director

A leader with many roles, from City Crisis Project to Human Resources to agency leadership.

Story #47

Volunteers are Everywhere

Distress Centre would not exist today without the original group of volunteers, so it seems only fitting that the 50th story focuses on our volunteers.

Story #50