Unfortunately, Kali Hill knows addiction.
Her mother and oldest daughter are in active addiction, her father passed away from an opiate overdose, and her boyfriend of five years passed away this year from an accidental overdose.
“Someone gave him fentanyl without him knowing,” says Kali.
To help those like her loved ones, she went to school to learn more about addiction and its impacts on mental health. In 2025, she received her community service worker certification, specializing in trauma-informed care, suicide prevention and intervention, first aid, as well as non-violent crisis intervention. To put her skills to use, she joined Hiregood, a local social enterprise that focuses on creating positive change in the community. From there, Hiregood placed her on the Edmonton Downtown Business Association’s Core Patrol team.
This was a perfect fit for Kali, who remembers that even before she received her certificates, she and her son would hand out snacks and other essentials in their free time to the people living on the street.
“I love to help people, I just always have,” Kali explains. “[Hiregood] thought I would be a good fit because I know how to relate and talk to them and treat them like humans.”
Kali works the daytime Core Patrol shift, which is funded by National Bank of Canada. You can spot her cruising the Downtown streets in Core Patrol’s branded vehicle. She’s teamed up with a fellow peer worker, and they provide support wherever they can. Their role is to bring an increased presence and a watchful eye for suspicious activities, as well as connect vulnerable individuals to community supports.
“It feels good to know that we’re making a difference,” says Kali. “I’ve noticed less vandalism and damages and stuff like that.”
Beyond that, she has helped stabilize multiple people undergoing an overdose.
“I saved their lives just by checking on them. I don’t believe these people wanna die.”
Once, she walked an impaired woman to the Hope Mission Centre.
“If I would have left her outside, she would have froze,” explains Kali. “They just feel abandoned, so if I can come in and talk with them, give them a hug and just make them feel like they’re loved and valued and worth something, maybe I can change their life.”
Whether it’s because of her empathy, community service skills, or “mom voice,” it’s undeniable that she’s forged a deep mutual respect with the vulnerable population Downtown.
“I’m very experienced with dealing with people with mental health [struggles] and depression and addiction,” Kali says. “Three years ago, I was an active addict myself, so I can relate that way too.”
Kali believes that Edmonton needs more services like Core Patrol.
“I feel like Core Patrol is very successful,” she says. “We’ve had compliments from the people who live downtown.
“I’ve had them walk up to us and say thank you so much for all the stuff you do. You make us feel safe now that you’re around.”
Kali has also seen a very positive reaction from people experiencing homelessness.
“They’re waving at us and blowing us kisses, and they’re like, ‘we appreciate you checking on us.’”