Important Updates

March 27, 2026

This past winter has been one of the hardest on record. Night after night of below-freezing temperatures brought challenges that many in our community should never have to face.

And yet, because of YOU, we made it through together.

As we slowly welcome the first signs of spring, we want to take a moment to recognize the incredible impact of our donors, volunteers, partners, and staff. From April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026, your support has meant more than these numbers ever could—it meant warmth on the coldest nights, meals when someone didn’t know where the next one would come from, a clear path toward stable housing, and moments of dignity and care when they were needed most.

We are, and always will be, deeply grateful.

But as one season ends, another challenge begins.

Starting April 1, our core funding from the City of London for daytime services at 696 Dundas St will be withdrawn. This represents approximately one-third of our operational funding, or over $1 million annually. This means essential services like meals, showers, clothing, washroom access, assessments, referrals, and system navigation will now rely entirely on donor support.

This change will result in the least amount of services our community has received in the past five years…and we are not alone. While the Ark is deeply impacted, many organizations across our city are also facing similar losses.

As a result, we are facing difficult but necessary service reductions over the coming weeks, which will be announced as they arise.

Effective today (March 24), we are closing 20 emergency cold weather response beds at Bishop-Cronyn Church.

Since opening on January 15, these beds have provided nearly 1,100 safe nights of rest, offering refuge from the harshest winter conditions. While we are incredibly proud of what this space has made possible, the reality is that freezing nights are not over, and fewer indoor options will now be available for those who need them most.

We cannot stress this enough: these services can literally mean the difference between life and death for many.

We need your help.

Whether you choose to donate, volunteer, speak with your city councillor, or simply share this message, you are making a real and immediate change in people’s lives.

Thank you for being part of a community that refuses to look away. 💛