Reshape Their World
Easing the way for children challenged by mobility issues
Today is a Great Day To Give!
ark
ARK (Accessibility Renovations for Kids) is a Calgary charity that provides home accessibility renovations for families with kids who have mobility issues.
Make their house feel like their home.
Help us Reshape Their World!
What's New At ARK?
Impact Report
We are proud to present our annual impact reports — a great way to see the numbers and stories behind how ARK Reshapes Their World!
Meet our ARK Kids!
We have some of the most amazing kids and families who have joined the ARK family — meet each one and see their story! The Nominations Team is also on the search for our next ARK Kids so don't hesitate to nominate someone
Purple Seal
Work in the home renovation industry? Learn more about the ARK Purple Seal program which recognizes those amazing trades and businesses who are community builders
Our Team
ARK is thriving thanks to a rapidly expanding group of talented and enthusiastic volunteers. These dedicated individuals serve as members of the board, create social media campaigns, seek out government funding and plan exciting fundraising events. That’s just for starters!
ARK is 100% volunteer driven. Our ARKies are the engine that makes ARK run and we are grateful for every single one of them!Â
Whether they are collecting bottles at events like the Highland Games, or putting together detailed financial reports, creating bylaws and procedures or interviewing our sponsors for our newsletter or… well you get the idea. Â
Whatever they do, our ARKies are amazing!
Our Approach
Mission Statement
To ease the daily life of children with mobility challenges by providing modifications or renovations to their family home.
Vision Statement
A community where no child has to struggle unduly with accessibility in their own home.
Values Statement
We value honesty, integrity, reliability and openness. We work collaboratively with volunteers, community partners and our project recipients to create a safe, vibrant and accessible home where a child and their family can live with ease despite mobility challenges.
What are the goals of ark?
ARK aims to help children living with mobility issues who reside in houses which were not built for their needs.
Here in Calgary, an ARK Home Accessibility Renovation can Reshape Their World making the everyday easier for these ARK Kids and their families.
Our Leadership
Sue Trefry & Cindy Eberth  started ARK with the simple idea of easing the lives of children who struggle with mobility in their own homes.
Cindy’s experience with marketing and her enthusiasm for pushing the limits of what’s possible complements Sue’s methodical and practical perspective and experience with the construction industry.
Their kindness, dedication and passion to help others infuses all of ARK and provides inspiration to the ARKies.
Sponsor Companies
What is our renovation Process?
01.
— Nominate
 A deserving child who is challenged by mobility issues is nominated by someone in their lives. We determine if the child meets our basic requirements and the potential impact of an ARK Home Accessibility Renovation on the child.
02.
— Meet the Family
We then meet with the family to assess the scope of the possible renovation and to verify that it is practical and beneficial to the child and family.
03.
— Drafting, Planning and Permits
Once the decision has been made to go ahead with the renovation, we will then begin drafting and planning with as much input from the family as possible. With a plan in place, we then apply for all necessary permits.
04.
— Fundraising and Awareness
ARK reaches out to the media, the public and our partners to secure funding and material resources for the renovation and raise awareness. This includes special events and social media campaigns.
05.
— Renovations
Certified tradesmen work to modify rooms so that they are barrier-free. We then install accessibility equipment like stair lifts and ramps.
06.
— Family walkthrough
Lastly, we complete a walkthrough with the family to introduce them to their new barrier-free living space.
Our Stories
Kholbey's Story
Sweet little Kholbey has Cerebral Palsy, and needs a wheelchair to get around. She lives in a loving home with her parents and 3 siblings. Her family faces many challenges, both financial and medical, and ARK is proud to be able to help ease their daily burdens.
Andrea's Story
Andrea is a bright, friendly child who loves her dog, Lilly. She lives with spina bifida and hydro encephalopathy. Andrea frequently has seizures and needs constant monitoring. Unable to walk, she uses a wheelchair to navigate her world.
Caleb's Story
Our first accessibility renovation will be to give a full bathroom renovation for Caleb. Caleb is a happy and spirited 8-year-old boy born with polymicrogyria, a neurological disorder.
Jaydon's Story
We were thrilled to be able to add a lift to this renovation, allowing Jaydon to independently navigate his way to and from his brand new bathroom. It was ordered early in 2020 and was due to arrive in February or March…