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Meet Our Partners: L'Arche Canada

January 27th, 2017

In L'Arche, people with and without intellectual disabilities live and learn together, developing and contributing their gifts in communities of friendship and belonging. The vision of L’Arche is rooted in the fundamental belief that each person is of unique and sacred value and the recognition of our need for one another.

From its Roman Catholic origins in France in 1964, L’Arche spread first to Canada in 1969 as an ecumenical community whose members belonged to the Anglican, Catholic and United Church traditions; then to India in 1970 as an interfaith community whose members were Christian, Hindu and Muslim. L’Arche has since grown to over 160 communities and projects in 37 countries welcoming people of all faith traditions and none at all who share belief in the value of persons with intellectual disabilities and the importance of friendship, compassion and belonging.

L’Arche is a community within the wider community supporting members with and without disabilities to be full and active participants in their neighbourhoods and the faith, cultural, work, and social communities to which they belong. To this end, the 29 communities of L’Arche from Cape Breton to Vancouver coast to coast are participating in the local Canada 150 projects of their towns and cities. Says L’Arche Director of Outreach and Communications John Guido, “It is important for us to contribute to our communities and model the benefits of welcoming the diverse gifts and contributions of all who belong.”

He adds, “When communities welcome persons with intellectual disabilities not out of obligation, but in the knowledge that we are brothers and sisters equal in dignity, it is a source of unity. Of course there is a long way to go, yet when faith communities live inclusion and diversity as mission, they become powerful witnesses to all Canadians and the world.”

L’Arche is committed to approaching Canada’s sesquicentennial celebrations in the same way through which they face day-to-day life – together. Guido notes, “As we celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary in our communities of belonging, L’Arche seeks to celebrate the contribution of persons with intellectual disabilities to Canadian life. We hope that 2017 will be a watershed year for Canada in creating a world where everyone belongs.”

Faith in Canada 150 would like to thank L’Arche for its generous partnership, without which, this project would not be possible.


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