Latest news with #ArkAidMission
CTV News
28-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Londoners urged to check on vulnerable as temperatures soar under the sizzling sun
Local Ark Aid Mission sets up system to help provide critical relief from the heat. CTV London's Reta Ismail has the story. With a heat warning in effect and temperatures soaring, local health officials and outreach organizations are urging Londoners to take precautions and help protect the most vulnerable members of the community. Environment Canada issued a heat warning for the region, forecasting daytime highs between 30 and 33 degrees with humidex values reaching as high as 42. Overnight lows are expected to stay above 19, offering little relief. The heat wave is expected to persist through Tuesday night. In downtown London, the Ark Aid Mission has added a shaded patio and makeshift misting station to help people experiencing homelessness cool off. Steven, who is currently unhoused, says it makes a big difference. 'It keeps you cool, and they give shade,' he said. 'There's no other shade in the city except for trees. And, without it, I don't think a lot of people would survive, to tell you the truth.' Sarah Campbell, executive director of Ark Aid Mission says they are doing what they can to help during the heat warning. She added that the Ark Aid is funded for just four hours of daily service but is operating 8 hours Monday through Friday, and 12 hours on Saturday and Sunday. 'Much like our winter planning, we look to find ways to get people indoors, give them an opportunity to rest, make sure that they have proper nourishment,' she said. 'We are working with our partners to make sure there's an everyday location for lunch and dinner and breakfast. We really try to just take those basic needs one by one, having a shower, access to running water, a bathroom.' The Middlesex-London Health Unit is reminding residents that extreme heat can be dangerous and even deadly especially for the elderly, infants and people without adequate housing. 'It can start with symptoms such as sweating, just some general fatigue and cramps and stuff like that,' said Dave Pavletic, manager of environmental health at the health unit. 'And then it could lead to some more significant symptoms, which can be heatstroke which is a medical emergency.' Pavletic encourages residents to take it easy, avoid strenuous outdoor activity and check in on others who may be at risk. 'You want to make sure that you check on family and friends, particularly folks that are elderly and may not have air conditioning, because the indoor heat can be a significant concern too,' he said. Environment Canada says relief is on the way, with slightly lower temperatures expected by Wednesday.
CBC
18-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
City council eyes opening a homeless shelter as it quashes funds for Ark Aid drop-in space
Social Sharing A city council committee is considering asking the Ontario government for funds to open a new shelter location in London that would create more spaces for unhoused Londoners and offload the pressures faced by agencies working to bring them indoors during extreme weather. The community and protective services committee on Monday unanimously supported the idea which was pitched by Coun. Hadleigh McAlister, who said challenges for people finding overnight beds this winter made him realize that more shelter spaces are needed in the city. "Our service providers did their best through the cold weather to free up space but I fully recognize that we do not have enough spaces and I think we have to start the work of opening a new shelter," he said. "I really do think we've reached the point where we need a new shelter." McAlister referred to the temporary overnight shelter that was suddenly stationed at the Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre in east London in January during an extreme cold weather alert. It opened hours after eight frontline social agencies called for more overnight supports. Existing overnight shelters in the city include the Centre of Hope, Men's Mission and the Ark Aid Mission. Coun. Susan Stevenson, whose ward includes the Ark's 696 Dundas Street location, which has been a point of contention among business owners due to the over-saturation of social agencies in the Old East Village area, supported the idea of another shelter. However, Stevenson questioned whether the city was following through on its Whole of Community response which was intended to move away from shelters and toward highly supportive housing and an encampment strategy. "There's no question there's a need. I would prefer to have shelter beds than resting spaces so we don't have this lottery every day to find out who gets a bed that night," she said. "I support this but I don't see how this fits into our plan." In response, McAlister said the homelessness crisis can't be tackled with just one solution, and a multi-faceted approach is needed to address its complexities. Another shelter would be one piece of a larger puzzle, he added. Kevin Dickins, deputy city manager for social and health development, said city staff have approved three separate highly supportive housing projects which would total more than 200 units, along with a 60-bed provincial HART Hub, operated by CMHA Thames Valley, which is set to open next month. Ark Aid drop-in space funding rejected The committee gave a more than $510,000 raise to The Salvation Army Centre of Hope to have 18 women's-only emergency shelter spaces from April 1 to the end of March, 2026. It also approved $3 million dollars for the Ark Aid Mission to operate 70 overnight beds at its Cronyn Warner location, which was welcomed by its executive director Sarah Campbell. The agency initially asked for a total $3.6 million, with $610,577 going toward a "day drop-in space" to offer basic services like showers, meals and laundry at its Dundas Street location, but the committee voted against it, asking for more information on how it differs from overnight shelters. "Stabilizing services is critical," said Campbell. "The implications of reducing funding for other areas of services that need to be stabilized is something you need to consider." Campbell said consistent funding is important to continue meeting the high demand, and allows the Ark to plan ahead. Funding changes will prevent it from continuously being able to support people in need, she said. Councillors will vote on the matters on April 1.
