Calgary REALTORS® Lend a Hand at the Calgary Dream Centre, Support Transitional Housing and Addiction Recovery
On a sunny Tuesday in May, 70 volunteers from the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB®) rolled up their sleeves to support their local organization, the Calgary Dream Centre. Through their efforts, they helped to create safe, welcoming spaces for people who need it through the centre’s addiction recovery and transitional housing programs.
Building on CREB®’s 2025 REALTORS Care® Day, REALTOR® volunteers returned to the centre to lend a hand (or, a few dozen hands) through landscaping, painting, organizing clothing and food donations, building furniture, cleaning and more.
“It’s intangible to see this city’s REALTORS®, those who care about housing and helping families find their home, serving those who call the [Calgary] Dream Centre home,” explained Craig Hill, CEO of the Calgary Dream Centre. “Having them come back here offering such dignity to our clients once again is extremely significant.”
Stable housing plays a critical role in sustaining recovery and preventing cycles of homelessness. At the Calgary Dream Centre, this stability is supported through a range of housing options, from transitional to long-term community housing. These housing options are paired with wraparound programming that helps people maintain their progress and reach their personal goals.
The Calgary Dream Centre currently supports 371 residents across 49 properties and offers residential program spaces through its 90-day recovery program. Beyond housing, its holistic approach includes recovery programming, vocational support and an alumni network that provides ongoing connection and encouragement long after people complete their initial program.
As the CREB® REALTOR® Community Foundation’s most recent Legacy Grant recipient, the Calgary Dream Centre received $1 million to support their affordable and supportive housing expansion efforts. More specifically, the grant is supporting the Erlton House project, a 56-unit building designed for women and mothers with children as they navigate recovery. With dedicated community spaces and family-focused amenities, the development aims to foster stability, connection and new beginnings. Through the grant, REALTORS® have made a significant, long-term investment in the centre’s work.
“There’s a real missing portion of aid and help in our community right now for vulnerable women and their children,” said Christian Twomey, Chair of the CREB REALTOR® Community Foundation. “What we’ve done and are continuing to do with the Calgary Dream Centre really helps push this project forward and helps our community.”
With the support of the CREB® REALTOR® Community Foundation, more than 8,700 REALTORS® in the Calgary area are helping strengthen communities by investing in housing and shelter solutions. Since 1987, members have contributed more than $9.8 million to over 165 local organizations, supporting initiatives that create new housing, keep people housed and improve housing quality.
“Volunteering at organizations like the [Calgary] Dream Centre is really fulfilling,” said Jeff Mikolajow, REALTOR® and salesperson with RE/MAX Complete. “I’m proud of how CREB® members continue to support the community, not just today, but throughout the year.”
Calgary REALTORS® are continuously active in their communities with volunteer opportunities coordinated to support local organizations including Discovery House, HomeSpace and Ronald McDonald House Charities® Alberta, as well as four upcoming Habitat for Humanity builds planned for later this year. Their REALTORS Care® Day is just one of these opportunities for the CREB® real estate community to give back through volunteerism, and represents just one part of CREB®’s broader commitment to community well-being.
With all the work that they do throughout the year, REALTORS® are playing an active role in building a stronger, more resilient communities in the Calgary area.
