Last month was filled with opportunities of community, learning, and deeper connections. We were honored to welcome back our Duke Divinity Intern, Tatum Tricarico, who spent a couple of days with us in community, including leading two Stations of the Cross: Disability Justice gatherings. Tatum shared about her experience visiting L’Arche and the community we’ve continued to build since she graduated a few years ago. Continue reading below to learn more:
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I had a wonderful time visiting L’Arche NC for the Stations of the Cross a few weeks ago! While I was in town, I noticed something I didn’t expect that made me love L’Arche even more! One evening, I was riding in the L’Arche van with Laura and a core member. Before we went to our destination, we dropped off the core member at a fun event they were attending. While we chatted, Laura communicated who would be driving to a few other events too, like L’Arche NC events, coffee meet-ups, doctors’ appointments, and more.
As someone who is functionally Blind, I am unable to drive. I often say that not being able to drive is the hardest part of my Disability. Some weeks, I spend hours (literally, I’ve counted), trying to figure out how I will get somewhere, who will drive me, who will pick me up, what time they’re able to go, and more. I’ve missed events, been stuck for hours before or after, been put in uncomfortable situations with drivers I don’t know well, and so much more, when everyone who can drive doesn’t have to think twice about these things.
Watching Laura and the team plan rides for the core members and get them everywhere they needed and wanted to go was incredible to me. The core members knew they could get where they needed to go, when they needed to, safely and without hesitation. Honestly, I was a little jealous, and very impressed. I have often said that “L’Arche NC means freedom,” and this experience showed me just how true that is on levels that most folks probably don’t even notice.
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Tatum’s words capture something essential about what community looks like in practice. It is not just shared space; it is shared responsibility, where people show up for one another in ways that create real freedom and belonging.
We’re so grateful to Tatum for helping us reflect on our work in a new way, and for reminding us that the small, everyday acts of care are often the ones that matter most—the shared meals, the laughter, the simple moments of showing up for one another.
With your support, we’re ready to keep building on these moments and continue this work together. If you feel moved to be part of it, we’d love your help—make a gift today at larchenc.org/give.
