ARCH Guelph set to close after 35 years of healthcare and supportive services
A staple in Guelph’s community health services sector expects to close its doors at the end of this month.
HIV/AIDS Resources & Community Health (ARCH) announced the upcoming closure on social media and on its website.
“It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing the anticipated closure of ARCH on March 31, 2024,” ARCH said in a post.
“We received a message from the Ministry of Health that we would no longer be receiving funding as of March 31, 2024. This was a big surprise to us.”
ARCH said it relies on that funding to support its women’s community work, harm reduction, trans support programs, HIV support programs and more.
CTV News reached out to ARCH for comment but has not received a response.
Two local organizations to pick up ARCH services
Services that were offered by ARCH will now be taken over by two other community organizations – Guelph Community Healthcare Centre (CHC) and The AIDS Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo & Area (ACCWA). The organizations said there should be no disruption to any of those services.
Guelph CHC will deliver harm reduction services in addition to its HIV clinical services and gender affirming care, which began running last April.
“This news is unexpected for many members of the community,” said Melissa Kwiatkowski, CEO of Guelph CHC.
Kwiatkowski added one positive of this situation is that there will be no disruptions to services.
“Our real focus right now is just on prioritizing stability and continuity of services for the community members that rely on having safe, accessible and inclusive services.”
ACCWA will offer HIV support services in Guelph. It’s working out of a temporary space in Guelph until it finds a permanent location.
“One thing we want to be very focused on is using our past history of partnership to move forward in partnership to make sure that we can support individuals that need the HIV support services and the HIV clinical services in Guelph,” said Ruth Cameron, ACCWA executive director.
Both organizations say they’re committed to continuing to provide all the same services in Guelph.
“The funding that was in Guelph to provide services is staying in Guelph,” Kwiatkowski said.
Guelph CHC and ACCWA will take over the services currently provided by ARCH on April 1. Going forward, they said they’ll be looking to scale up services and add more options.
“We certainly want an opportunity to get some feedback from community and then we will go about, with that information, implementing services and supports that we provide,” Cameron said.
Guelph CHC and ACCKWA said anyone with questions or concerns can reach out to them directly.
CTV News has reached out to Ontario’s Ministry of Health for comment on the situation but has not received a response.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
Man arrested after allegedly caught trespassing at Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Toronto police say a man has been taken into custody after he was allegedly caught trespassing at Drake's mansion in Bridle Path Saturday afternoon.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with “The Code,” an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.