Local Support
The Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown (RCCD) is committed to creating lasting change in our local community through impactful funding and collaborative partnerships. By focusing on areas that address critical needs and improve quality of life, RCCD invests in initiatives that foster growth, resilience, and connection across Calgary.
adult literacy
Bow Valley Bursaries
The Rotary Club of Calgary is dedicated to improving adult literacy, empowering individuals to unlock their potential and create brighter futures. Literacy transforms lives—enhancing opportunities, strengthening families, and enriching communities. Through our Adult Literacy Programs, Rotary provides bursaries and funding for basic literacy education.
At Bow Valley College, Rotary Literacy Bursaries support students in programs from grades one to nine. We also collaborate with Bow Valley College on inclusive initiatives, helping students with physical or developmental disabilities learn alongside their peers at grades two to four levels. Additionally, we support programs using award-winning software to help adults with disabilities improve their reading, writing, and math skills, advancing literacy from grades one to six levels. Rotary proudly champions literacy as a foundation for community success.
helping Families in Need
Christmas Hampers
The Rotary Club of Calgary’s Christmas Hamper Program spreads holiday joy by supporting families in need during the festive season. Each year, volunteers come together to assemble and deliver hampers filled with essential items, groceries, and holiday treats, ensuring families experience the warmth and magic of Christmas. This cherished tradition fosters community spirit and provides meaningful support to those facing challenges, bringing smiles and relief to countless households. By working hand-in-hand with local organizations and generous donors, the Rotary Club of Calgary ensures that everyone, regardless of circumstances, can enjoy a festive and hopeful holiday season.
supporting seniors
Senior Socials
The Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown (RCCD) is proud to support Senior Socials, fostering connections and reducing isolation among Calgary’s senior community. Through regular events, RCCD provides a welcoming space for seniors to engage in meaningful activities, build friendships, and enjoy shared experiences. These gatherings, often held in collaboration with local organizations, feature entertainment, meals, and interactive sessions designed to promote social well-being and inclusion. By bringing seniors together, RCCD ensures they remain active and valued members of the community, enriching their lives and strengthening the bonds that connect us all.
Food security
Community BBQs
The Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown (RCCD) is committed to addressing food security while fostering a sense of belonging and connection within our community. Through our Community BBQ initiatives, RCCD provides meals to those in need, ensuring access to nutritious food while bringing people together in a welcoming environment. These events go beyond providing nourishment—they create opportunities for meaningful engagement, strengthen community bonds, and promote dignity for all.
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Strengthening community
Legacy Projects
The Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown (RCCD) is proud to leave a lasting impact through its Legacy Projects, creating spaces and opportunities that enrich our community. RCCD played a key role in establishing Community Hubs, fostering connections and providing resources to strengthen neighborhoods. The Rotary/Mattamy Greenway, a world-class urban pathway, promotes recreation and environmental stewardship. Rotary Challenger Park ensures inclusive play and recreation for people of all abilities, reflecting our commitment to accessibility. The Rotary Flames Gift supports health and wellness initiatives, enhancing the lives of young Calgarians. These Legacy Projects demonstrate RCCD’s dedication to building a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.
early childhood literacy
Calgary Reads Book Sale
The Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown (RCCD) proudly supports the Calgary Reads Big Book Sale, an annual event that promotes literacy and the joy of reading in our community. RCCD members volunteer their time to help organize, sort, and sell thousands of donated books, creating a vibrant marketplace for readers of all ages. Proceeds from the sale fund Calgary Reads’ initiatives, including programs that provide books and reading support to children and families in need. By partnering with Calgary Reads, RCCD helps nurture a love of learning, foster literacy development, and strengthen community connections, ensuring every child has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of reading.
Education
Carl Smith Stay-In-School Program
The Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown (RCCD) is a proud supporter of the Carl Smith Stay-in-School program, which empowers students facing financial and personal challenges to complete high school and pursue post-secondary education. RCCD provides mentorship, financial assistance, and guidance to motivated students, helping them overcome barriers and achieve their academic goals.
By investing in education and personal development, the program fosters confidence, resilience, and long-term success. Through the Carl Smith Stay-in-School program, RCCD demonstrates its commitment to building brighter futures for Calgary’s youth and strengthening our community through education.
International Support
Basic Education & Literacy
Educating African Youth
The Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown (RCCD) proudly supports Educating African Youth (EAY), a transformative program empowering Ugandan AIDS orphans and disadvantaged youth through post-secondary education at trade schools or universities. Since its inception, EAY has supported 64 students, all of whom have graduated and secured full-time employment. As of September 2023, 21 students are enrolled, receiving scholarships that cover tuition, books, accommodations, meals, and a small stipend for their 3-4 year education. This initiative not only equips youth with skills for gainful employment but fosters a cycle of giving back, as graduates now contribute financially to the program. EAY continues to thrive through Rotary donations and alumni support, creating lasting change and brighter futures.
Disease Prevention & Treatment
Cervical Cancer in Guatemala
The Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown (RCCD) is actively supporting the elimination of cervix cancer in Guatemala, where 1 in 33 women are affected by this preventable disease. Through a focused initiative, RCCD helps vaccinate girls aged 8 to 15 to protect them before exposure to the virus and supports screening for women aged 30 to 55 to detect precancerous changes early. Screening involves a simple, cost-effective method using acetic acid to identify abnormal cells, which can be treated immediately with thermocoagulation, requiring no anesthesia and causing minimal discomfort. This dual approach of vaccination and screening aims to eliminate cervix cancer in Guatemala over the next 40 years, improving health outcomes and saving lives.
Basic Education & Literacy
Cambodia Literacy Project
The Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown (RCCD) proudly supports the CLIP 3 project, which addresses the resource gap in early childhood education (ECE) in Cambodia. This initiative empowers teachers and parents while increasing educational opportunities for disadvantaged communities. By creating Khmer-language ECE resources aligned with the government curriculum and culturally tailored, CLIP 3 bridges the gap in classroom materials. Workshops and social media platforms amplify the reach, with over 5,000 Facebook followers, 15,000 resource library downloads, and 150,000 monthly YouTube views. Through CLIP 3, RCCD helps ensure a brighter future for Cambodia's children and educators.
Maternal & Child Health
Human Milk Bank India
The Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown (RCCD) is supporting the establishment of a Human Milk Bank at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Aurangabad, India, addressing critical maternal and child health needs. According to the World Health Organization and UNICEF, pasteurized donor human milk is the next best option when a mother’s milk is unavailable. This initiative will provide life-saving nutrition to approximately 2,000 newborns annually who are unable to receive their mother’s milk. While milk donors are already willing to contribute, the current lack of processing and preservation infrastructure prevents their donations from being used. The Human Milk Bank will enable the collection, processing, and distribution of donor milk, significantly reducing newborn mortality rates and ensuring this vital resource is accessible to hospitals across the city.
Basic Education & Literacy
Karuna School Nepal
The Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown (RCCD) is proud to support the Karuna Girls College Revitalization Project in Lumbini, Nepal, which empowers women’s education and fosters growth in girls' enrollment. Scheduled for completion within two years of funding, the project focuses on four key initiatives: upgrading washroom facilities, enhancing teacher training, setting up a science lab, and installing kitchen facilities. These improvements aim to provide a healthier, safer learning environment while increasing enrollment by at least 100 girls. Through this initiative, RCCD is helping to create opportunities for girls in Nepal to access quality education, empowering them to build brighter futures.