When Calgary Police Need Help Fast, They Call Rise

Pictured: Martin with a Basic Needs Fund recipient, who is not the person in this story.

It started with one conversation

A Calgary man lost his home without warning and had nowhere to go.

A police officer at the scene connected him to community support. Another agency found him a temporary place to stay. He found a new place to rent, but he couldn't cover the first month's rent and damage deposit. That's where Rise Calgary came in.

Later, he passed a message back to the agencies that helped him. He couldn't believe a conversation with a police officer at the scene had led to so much support, and said he already felt much better about where things stood.

His story isn't unusual. Almost every week, Rise Calgary helps people like him through the Action Table.

What is the Action Table?

Action Table Calgary is a weekly meeting where dozens of agencies work together on urgent cases. It's led by United Way of Calgary and Area, the City of Calgary and the Calgary Police Service. It's for Calgarians at serious, immediate risk of harm, the kind of situation that can turn into a crisis within days.

Cases are shared without names or identifying details. The agencies at the table decide together who can help, and they move fast.

In 2025, according to Action Table Calgary's 2025 report:

• 126 cases came to the table, and 80 of them (63%) were brought by the Calgary Police Service
• People were contacted within 1 day on average
• 87% of closed cases were connected to services
• Cases were closed in about 15 days on average

The top risk factors were unemployment (71% of cases), unmet basic needs (61%) and low income (60%). More than half of cases involved a risk of losing housing.

Rise Calgary has been at the table for nearly two years.

Why the table turns to Rise first

When an urgent case comes up, the first question is often whether Rise can help. That happens almost every week.

The reason is our Basic Needs Fund. It can cover the costs that keep someone stuck, like a damage deposit or first month's rent. Other agencies at the table see Rise as the main place to go for that kind of support.

Martin represents Rise at the table each week.

"We bring confidence that we can support the clients who are brought to us… the constables automatically think of Rise as the first place they can turn."

Martin, Advocate

Who we help

The people Rise supports through the table are facing a crisis that can't wait. Many are single moms leaving abusive homes. Others are dealing with addiction that puts their health at immediate risk.

Most cases come down to housing. Someone needs to move somewhere safe, or keep the home they have, and money is the barrier.

When Rise covers that cost, people get housed and off the street. They stay out of the shelter system, and the police can step back while community services take over.

Why you haven't heard about this

We haven't talked about it much. Our advocates are busy with the people in front of them, and telling the story usually comes last.

But we think Calgarians should know. When someone is in crisis, police officers and dozens of agencies know they can count on Rise. That trust is built week after week, one case at a time.

Work like this depends on people like Martin, and on a team that can keep showing up. Right now, Rise is raising funds for a permanent home, so we can stay open more hours and be there when Calgarians need us. You can support our capital campaign here:

Had you heard of the Action Table before today?