Several social agencies in Calgary, including the Calgary John Howard Society, collaborate together annually to ensure that youth experiencing homelessness have their needs met and help them break out of the cycle of poverty and homelessness.

Gear Up for Winter is not a typical resource fair with booths about services available to them, rather we are offering them an afternoon “off the streets”, an opportunity for self-care, and to engage them in healthy connections which may move them to make healthy changes in their lives. Every year individuals, businesses, and agency staff get behind this event with their commitment of time, donations and support to make this an afternoon of caring and positive connections.