As an organization, Calgary Dream Centre has always pursued innovation. It is our deep desire to be a solution to the problem of homelessness and addiction – to go beyond providing help by providing hope.
As an organization, we’ve long understood that creating meaningful change requires more than traditional approaches. Enter Change is Good, our strategic social enterprise that represents a bold reimagining of how nonprofits can engage, support and transform communities. Change is Good began as a pilot project within Calgary Dream Centre, strategically designed to transform excess clothing donations into a sustainable fundraising opportunity. What started as an online platform quickly evolved and in October of 2021, we secured our physical storefront—a dynamic space in vibrant Inglewood that does much more than sell clothes.
Today, December 7th, marks our third anniversary—a testament to community support and the entrepreneurial spirit of Calgary Dream Centre! As a retail store run by a nonprofit, Change is Good deeply challenges the traditional concept of a retail space. We’re an innovative engagement tool designed to attract diverse community members who might not typically interact with social service organizations. Our storefront creates an accessible environment where every customer can discover Calgary Dream Centre’s mission white shopping for all the best secondhand and local products! By positioning ourselves within the small business community of Calgary, we’ve strategically expanded our impact. We’ve cultivated meaningful connections with the local business community including partnerships with consignment stores such as Clothing Bar YYC, actively participating in pop-up markets and engaging with Calgary’s thriving small business network through events such as our annual vintage crawl.
These partnerships allow us to amplify our reach, create economic opportunities, and introduce our mission to new audiences. Over three years, it’s been profoundly rewarding to witness our customers and partners embrace our work—both within the store and the broader community. Our approach is so much more than a transaction; it’s an invitation for customers to participate in a larger narrative of community transformation, bridging social services with entrepreneurial spirit. As we continue to grow and evolve, Change is Good and Calgary Dream Centre remain committed to innovation, transparency, and meaningful community connection.
We invite you to be part of this journey—to see how small changes can create significant impact, how personal choices can contribute to broader societal transformation. Change is Good isn’t just our store’s name, it’s our entire ethos. We believe that change is a collective effort, fueled by small actions that ripple outward to transform lives. Every purchase, every conversation, and every partnership contributes to the Dream Centre’s mission—one of hope, recovery, and renewed purpose. As we celebrate three years of growth, resilience, and community impact, we look forward to the next chapter with gratitude and excitement.Together, we can continue to prove that change truly is good.
Socials: @changeisgoodyyc
Website: Change Is Good YYC
Shop in-store: 1317 9 Ave SE, Calgary AB T2G 0T2
