Together, for Access, Inclusion, and Belonging
Many of you may be wondering what the proposed federal spending cuts to Medicaid could mean for individuals with disabilities and for our L’Arche community.
What Do Medicaid Cuts Mean for L’Arche NC?
They put inclusion, dignity, and access at risk—and we need your voice today.
Medicaid isn’t just a line in the budget. For L’Arche North Carolina, it’s over $280,000 in essential funding that helps keep our new home open, staffed, and thriving. Cuts to this support would directly threaten the services that allow people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live in safe, supportive, and inclusive communities.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Medicaid provides vital health coverage to millions of people with disabilities. When that funding is reduced, so is access to care, housing, and community life.
We’re asking you to act today—because advocacy matters.
Use The Arc’s simple online form (linked below) to contact your representatives. Tell them why Medicaid matters to you, and why people with disabilities deserve continued access to the support and services they rely on.
Make Your Voice Heard – Take Action Now!
It only takes a few minutes—but your action can help protect what matters most.
#MedicaidMatters #InclusionMatters #AdvocacyForAll #BelongingForEveryone Click here to make your voice heard!
Gifts don’t grow alone—they grow in community!
L’Arche was founded with Christian roots, and today, L'Arche NC is a nonfaith organization that welcomes people of all backgrounds. We partner with a wide range of religious and social organizations, which helps us live out our vision of being an inclusive community of communities. At L’Arche NC, we recognize that people of every belief system and tradition seek meaning, purpose, and belonging—and we strive to create a space where everyone feels at home. Last Sunday, friends of L'Arche North Carolina joined Edenton Street UMC for worship. It was a beautiful Spring morning to share in community together. I had the honor of sharing a sermon; it was my first time doing so since L'Arche NC welcomed our Core Members and Assistants to move into the house. The lectionary text for the Sunday was Luke 13:1-9, the parable of the barren fig tree. I've copied my sermon below; or, you can watch the YouTube clip, which also includes our L'Arche friends reading some of the prayers (beginning at 20:00), scripture, and assisting with communion. Loving God, thank You for the gift of community – help us to read more
At Our Core, We Are All One
Hello L'Arche Community! March was an extraordinary month! We had the honor of welcoming members of our community to lead our monthly “Cook Together" event, where they taught us all about Ramadan. It was an inspiring experience, as we learned not only about the traditions and practices of Ramadan, but also engaged in meaningful conversations about the similarities across different religious practices. These discussions served as a beautiful reminder that, at our core, we are all one, and that everyone belongs. It was a powerful moment of connection, unity, and celebration of diversity that strengthened our community. Don’t just take our word for it; here is what our friend, Sherrie, who led the event, had to say: "What a tremendous joy it has been to have found L’ARCHE. It has been such a positive experience for my two boys, Quentin and Gabriel, who are both on the autism spectrum. Not only has it been a welcoming and accommodating environment for them, but for me as an American Muslim as well. This month we were blessed to be able to share a few of our traditions during the read more
Brunch was a bunch of fun!
We are overjoyed to share that our first Brunch & Belonging event was an incredible success! The room was packed, and the spirit of community was truly palpable. We were moved by heartfelt stories from the family members of two of our founding Core Members, who spoke about why they chose L’Arche and the positive impact our community has already had on their lives. Another special highlight was the presentation of our first-ever Spirit of Belonging Award, given to Warrie Evans, III. Warrie has attended an impressive 44 L’Arche events this year, and he exemplifies our mission of radical welcome. At each gathering, Warrie makes everyone feel seen and valued, often by simply asking, "How are you doing?" and listening with genuine care. Thanks to all who joined and supported us. However, we’re still short of our fundraising goal. The great news is our $30,000 match has been extended – which means any donation you make this week will be doubled! If you haven’t donated yet, there’s still time to make a powerful impact. Help us continue to grow this beautiful community by giving today. Every gift, read more
L’Arche NC House Blessing & Ribbon Cutting
We had over 90 people join us a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the L'Arche House for the House Blessing & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony! We were especially grateful to have former board members, and those who helped shape this vision over a decade ago, with us at our wonderful L’Arche home south Durham. Their dedication has truly made a difference! Check out this reel on Facebook or Instagram. We were thrilled to welcome L’Arche USA staff, including Laura Giddings, the Executive Director of L'Arche USA and Thomas Marquis, Manager of Community Support & Learning. Other L'Arche communities were present for this exciting occassion, too, including Katie Miyakado from L'Arche Tacoma and Dustin Barrington from L'Arche Northern Colorado. The connections of L'Arche across the country were truly felt! Thank you to all our L’Arche friends, community partners, and supporters for, not only joining us, but making this day possible. Your presence, financial support, prayers, and many volunteers hours have made this house a home! *Special thanks to Mark Evans for capturing these photos during the ceremony. read more
Disability Pride Month – celebrate all year!
As Disability Pride Month comes to an end, we want to thank you for celebrating with us. This month has highlighted the unique gifts and contributions of individuals with disabilities, and we are grateful for your support.
In case you missed it: Sundaes on Sunday Recap
What a sweet success! Our Sundaes on Sunday event was filled with joy, laughter, and community spirit.
House Update: The renovations on the house will be completed this week!
Friends, I am so excited! The renovations on the house will be completed this week! The accessible bathroom is beautiful. The new wider entrance to the kitchen and the large electric stove are wonderful. The basement bedrooms have lovely new floors, and more! The only thing that is left is painting. As the ceilings were scraped, re-mudded, and painted during the professional asbestos abatement process, this left a large white trim around many of the rooms. Therefore, we are painting with the help of volunteers. As I walk around the L'Arche house and see the updates, I am filled with joy knowing that everyone, regardless of ability, will be able to enter the home and use the facilities. Prior these renovations, if someone used mobility aids or a wheelchair, they would have needed to be carried up the stairs into the home and into the bathroom when they needed to use it. However, with your generous support, we can now say that everyone is welcome and belongs at L'Arche NC! Thank you for making this possible. We are now in the home stretch (pun intended) of welcoming our first Core Members read more
Rofida’s Trip to L’Arche GWDC – A Life Changing Impact
When I visited L’Arche GWDC (Greater Washington D.C.), I hadn’t expected to find my life’s calling. In fact, I hadn’t expected to see L’Arche GWDC at all. A string of coincidences led me there, starting with my trip to Washington D.C, organized by Johnson Service Corps (JSC), the organization that has connected me to L’Arche NC this year for a year of service. As part of JSC, this year I’ve gone on several trips to explore spiritual understandings, and at every one I’ve been asked to introduce myself - names, pronouns, hometown, and job description. And nearly every time, I’ve had to explain what L’Arche NC was. But, my trip to Washington D.C. was different. As soon as I mentioned L’Arche, our host gasped. “L’Arche?” she asked, giving me no time to reply. “That’s great! I work with L’Arche.” From there, the introductions derailed; she and I swapped excited smiles and stories. I don’t have the words to describe how happy I felt. It wasn’t just a matter of being recognized; it was knowing that there were people who believed in the same mission and not only that read more
