Dear community,

As of May 11th, we are pausing the Drop-In program until the fall. This was a hard decision, and we made it for one reason: the well-being and psychological safety of both our staff team and the community members who come through our doors.

Here’s the truth: for the last three years, we’ve tried again and again, through grants, through staffing shifts, through sheer will, to make the Drop-In work sustainably. We haven’t been able to. And we’ve reached a point where we can no longer run the program the way it deserves, manage all our other services, and stay well as human beings.

Below is more context, what to expect in terms of timing, and everything that’s still available during the pause.

For those who rely on the Drop-in

This space is more than just a program. It's somewhere to land, to feel less alone, and to access community and support in a way that feels more human and aligned with who you are.

A pause like this can bring up a lot: disappointment, worry, frustration, grief, or fear of what comes next.

The decision is not about pulling away from the community. It's about a real need to make sure support can continue in ways that are sustainable and grounded long-term. We aren't going anywhere.

The format is changing, but we are very much still here.

Context

In summer/fall 2022, we opened The Drop-In as a casual space to hang out, play games, maybe nap, ask questions, and just be yourself. It never had its own dedicated staff. Over the years, we managed it with 1 or 2 staff rotating in.

In 2024, the City of Ottawa provided a funding boost to extend drop-in hours from 4 to 6 per day. That helped us keep our then 4-person team stable, but didn’t let us hire anyone new. That funding lasted until June 2025, by which point we had grown to a team of 7 thanks to other grants.

Between summer 2023 and fall 2025, we applied for 5 grants to sustainably fund The Drop-In. We were rejected from all of them, most recently in March 2026.

Present-day reality

We’ve reached a breaking point with The Drop-In, and many of you have felt it: consistency has been tough. We’re seeing more complex needs in the community, fewer dollars to go around, and other local resources closing or shrinking. Meanwhile, demand for one-on-one navigation and mental health support keeps increasing. Our small team is burned out. The last grant rejection was the final push.

Pausing The Drop-In

Out of genuine concern for the health of the staff team, and to protect the integrity of our other programs, the Board of Directors has decided to pause The Drop-In starting the week of May 11th, 2026.

When and how The Drop-In will return

From May 11th to June 12th, we are taking a complete pause. No unstructured drop-in, period. Staff will rest and reset. After that break, we will slowly bring back specific service or activity days, and you’ll be able to sign up to attend. 

At the end of June, we hope to hear good news on a new grant application that would support the Drop-In. If that comes through, we can start returning to a more open, familiar format. If not, we will continue with scheduled activity days until the fall. At that point, we’ll reassess with community feedback: what’s working, what needs to change, and what’s possible with the resources we actually have.

What else to expect during the pause

All other programs and services will run as normal into the summer. Any supports you usually accessed during Drop-In hours will still be available, just in a slightly modified way. We'll share those specific details, along with other resources that may be helpful, in the coming days. 

Support you can access 

• ‘My Crisis Care Plan’ PDF

• Centretown Community Health Centre: LGBT2SQ+ Quick Access Counselling Clinic on Wednesdays. Email for hours and info: lgbtq2sqwednesday@centretownchc.org

• Trans LifeLine: Call 1-877-330-6366

• MAX Ottawa: Health and wellness services and programs for queer, trans, and

• non-binary people.

• Good Companions: Rainbow Connections program provides a telephone assurance program for LGBT older adults (55+). To access the program, contact 613-236-0428 or sarah@thegoodcompanions.ca

• LGBT YouthLine: A youth-led organization offering peer support and leadership opportunities to 2SLGBTQ youth across Ontario. To access the peer-support helpline, text 647-694-4275.

• Highjinx: A social enterprise and community hub for vulnerable neighbours. Tuesdays - Saturdays, 12pm - 5pm. 290 Kent St. (just around the corner)

How you can support us

• Patience and understanding (it means everything right now)

• Join the Board of Directors - Application closes on May 13 at 11:59pm

• Become a member - Application closes on May 13, 2026, at 11:59pm

• Become a monthly donor

In solidarity,

The Kind Space Board of Directors and Staff