Hearts on the Map: Tools to Empower Volunteers and Seniors

At Calgary Seniors, we connect older adults with the practical support and companionship they need to age with dignity and independence. Our Seniors Social Supports team brings warmth through programs like Shopping Companion, Essential Transportation, Friendly Visiting, Pet Assist, Friendly Check-in, Practical Kindness, Caregiver Kindness, and Cheer Mail. Whether it’s a friendly visit, a ride, getting groceries, a check-in call, or even a note of encouragement, our volunteers brighten days and ease burdens for seniors across Calgary.

Our idea is a two-part initiative to strengthen volunteer recruitment, engagement, and retention, while ensuring seniors receive meaningful connection and care.

1. Interactive Volunteer and Client Mapping Tool
We propose a virtual, interactive map highlighting where seniors in need are located across Calgary. This tool will:

• Recruit Volunteers by showing where needs are greatest, encouraging people to help close to home.

• Support Coordinationby helping staff allocate resources and match volunteers more efficiently.

• Demonstrate Reachby providing a clear picture of where Calgary Seniors is making a difference and where more support is needed.

This innovative map modernizes how we attract and support volunteers and makes the city’s senior support landscape easy to understand.

2. Enhanced Volunteer Kits
We will create program-specific kits that equip volunteers with tools, resources, and confidence as they begin their journey with us. Examples include:

• Friendly Visiting: Conversation starter cards, puzzles, or trivia books to spark connection.

• Transportation: Maps, checklists, or comfort items to make rides smoother.

• Other Programs: Customized resources offering both practical and creative ideas.

These kits help volunteers feel prepared and valued, fostering long-term engagement and satisfaction.

Our idea combines an innovative mapping tool with thoughtful volunteer kits to make it easier to recruit, support, and retain volunteers who bring vital care and connection to Calgary’s seniors.

This initiative will benefit two groups at the heart of Calgary Seniors: seniors in need of support and the volunteers who step forward to help them.

Seniors across Calgary, many of whom live alone or face barriers such as limited mobility, financial hardship, or social isolation, will directly benefit. Our Seniors Social Supports programs already reach hundreds of seniors each year with services like Friendly Visiting, Essential Transportation, Shopping Companion, Friendly Check-in, Pet Assist, Caregiver Kindness, Practical Kindness, and Cheer Mail. Yet the need continues to grow, and many seniors still wait for help.

By creating an interactive volunteer map, we can better identify and respond to areas of highest need. Seniors in these “hot spots” will gain faster access to companionship, rides, groceries, and other essential supports, reducing wait times and easing stress. Enhanced volunteer kits will ensure that when seniors first meet a volunteer, the experience is warm, engaging, and confidence-building. This means more consistent and meaningful connections, brightening days, reducing loneliness, and promoting dignity and independence.

The interactive map will also benefit volunteers by helping them find opportunities that align with where they live and where their help is most needed. This convenience makes it easier to commit and increases long-term retention. Ultimately, volunteers will feel more connected to the community and more fulfilled in their roles.

Our idea will also benefit the many caring Calgarians who give their time to support seniors. Volunteers often join because they want to make a difference, but some feel nervous about their first visit or uncertain about how best to connect. By providing program-specific volunteer kits, we will ease those first steps, offering conversation starters, activities, and practical resources tailored to the program. Volunteers will feel better prepared, more confident, and more appreciated.

Finally, the broader Calgary community benefits when seniors are supported to live well at home. Reduced isolation, improved health, and stronger community connections all contribute to a healthier, more compassionate city.