The Ark was founded in 1971 through the efforts of an Uptown doctor and a local rabbi, who were approached by a group of young Jewish community members advocating for the doctor’s clinic to provide more services to the poor. The idea quickly gained many supporters, and in March, 1971, The Ark opened as a free medical clinic in Albany Park.
Soon, The Ark’s cause began attracting large numbers of volunteers who were interested in contributing their time and professional skills to help their less fortunate neighbors. Throughout the years, services and programs were added one-by-one; a kosher food pantry was opened; rent and utility bills were paid; a free pharmacy opened. We are grateful to Dr. Binyomin Sokol z”l, Rabbi Avram Kaufman z”l, Rabbi Yehoshua Eichenstein z”l, and Joseph Weiss z”l for their vision and dedication to making The Ark a reality.
As The Ark grew, it followed the Jewish population from Albany Park to Devon Avenue. The Ark moved again in 1991 to its current facility on California Avenue, and in 2011, a second office was opened in Northbrook, to meet the needs of the growing Jewish population in the northwest suburbs.
The Ark’s reimagined building in West Rogers Park opened in March 2024, thanks to hundreds of generous donors who contributed more than $24 million to the transformative capital campaign that made our vision a reality. Our new home is a modern, uplifting, and secure space that welcomes our community with dignity.
The impact has been profound. A 14,000 square foot, two-story addition expanded our physical footprint by 60% and has made it possible to serve 20% more clients. The Ark continues to grow and adapt to meet our community’s evolving needs.
