“I’m Happy!” – A Story About Belonging
Hello L’Arche Friends –
Recently, I was driving one of our Core Members to one of his regular weekly activities. The moment he got in the car, he looked at me, beaming, and said, “I’m happy!”
I smiled and replied, “Right on!”
Without missing a beat, he declared again: “I’m happy! I’m with my friend. The sun is shining! God woke me up today! I’m happy!”
That moment has stayed with me ever since. It was simple, profound, and contagious. His joy wasn’t dependent on anything fancy—just friendship, sunshine, and the gift of another day. Since then, I’ve borrowed his exclamation for my own morning mantra. Before checking email or pouring my coffee, I try to begin with those same words:
“I’m happy. I’m with my friends. God woke me up today.”
At L’Arche North Carolina, joy shows up in unexpected places. Since I began working here in 2021, I’ve seen time and again how people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are not only recipients of care, but givers of joy, connection, and purpose. Each of our four Core Members brings light into our community in a way that can’t help but ripple outward.
Everyday moments at the L’Arche house reflect something much deeper: shared meals where someone’s favorite song gets everyone dancing, quiet mornings where Assistants gently help with routines, game nights full of inside jokes. This is not just a place to live—it’s a place where people are truly known, celebrated, and loved.
When we say our house is full, we mean it in every way. It’s full of life. Full of meaning. Full of connection.
That’s what you make possible through your generous gifts and support. And we can’t thank you enough. We’d love to invite you into that joy:
Grow Together: Paint & Plant – May 17th at Bethany UMC: Bring a friend and let your creativity bloom.
Sundaes on Sunday – June 1st at the L’Arche House: Family fun, live music, and an ice cream bar you won’t want to miss.
Summer Movie Nights in Raleigh – Details listed below! Each night has a fun dress-up theme.
If you’ve had a hard week, if the news feels heavy, or if you’re simply looking for community—you’ll find something special here. I hope you’ll join us soon.
Surrounded by joy,
Laura Steed Lorino,
Executive Director & Community Leader
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
Exciting Opportunities to Share Life at L’Arche NC!
We are thrilled to high-light two heartwarming new programs that are spreading joy and making a difference in our community! Jam Together: Our monthly musical gatherings are more than just music – they're moments of healing and connection. Recently, one participant shared that amidst a challenging time, our rendition of "Every little thing is gonna be alright" was like "balm for their soul". Join us for Jam Together and experience the power of music to uplift spirits and bring people together. Serve Together: Making an impact while fostering inclusion is at the heart of Serve Together. Many times, people with disabilities are treated as a "service project." At Serve Together, EVERYONE has an opportunity to participate in service. One parent proudly shared that it was her adult child's first service project. Moments like these inspire us to continue creating opportunities for everyone to contribute and belong. Join us for our weekly events and leave with a little more joy in your heart. For more information and to stay updated on our upcoming events, check out our events page. Together, let's spread love, joy, and inclusion! Live At L'Arche - Now read more
Construction Update
Dear L'Arche North Carolina Community, I hope this post update finds you well. I wanted to provide you with an update on the ongoing renovations at our house. As with any renovation project, we've experienced a mix of wins and challenges along the way. I'm grateful for the work we have accomplished through donations and volunteer work. One significant setback we faced was the unexpected departure of our first General Contractor. This, unfortunately, delayed the start of our major renovation projects. While we didn't get to start the accessible bathroom project as early as anticipated, I believe it was a blessing in disguise as we now have a fantastic General Contractor, Revel Build Co. On a positive note, we recently received some good news from the Durham Neighborhood Improvements Inspector. They agreed that we did not need to cut out larger windows in the basement bedrooms as we initially anticipated. This decision has saved us thousands of dollars. Instead, we will install cubby-storage benches under the windows to allow for safe egress. However, as we began the renovation, we encountered an unforeseen obstacle: asbestos materials in the house, read more
Everyone can find community at L’Arche
By Beverly Christian, Operations Manager During a recent "Move Together" event, our community went on a journey to the park for a spirited scavenger hunt. During the walk, I struck up a conversation with one of our community members and her dedicated Support Provider (care assistant) who accompanies her to L’Arche events. I was curious about their daily activities outside of L’Arche NC. Through our chat, I learned that they often find themselves participating in activities designed for toddlers (even though our L’Arche friend is in her 20s), such as storytime at the library or trips to the park. They struggle to find suitable options, besides L’Arche NC activities, for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Raleigh. As we reflected on community during the scavenger hunt, the Support Provider shared a heartwarming sentiment. She explained that while our friend, to whom she provides care support, is an exceptional listener, she is also non-verbal. While the Support Provider enjoys these conversations with her, she is very grateful to L’Arche NC, where she has the opportunity during the day to have spoken conversations. L'Arche events provide them both read more
The Impact Of L’Arche Reaches Beyond Our Community
By Tatum Tricarico, Disability and Theology Intern Over the past two years, it has been amazing to notice how much L’Arche NC has impacted me and those in my circles. One of my favorite parts has been how much this community has expanded my understanding of accessibility and leadership. My work at L’Arche NC has inspired me countless times to be more creative in the ways I plan and offer accessibility. During my first few months serving with L’Arche NC, I was encouraged to include something that was an embodied practice for each program or event I planned. This could be a creative or expressive activity like drawing, or a meditative practice with movement for those who find being still more difficult. The purpose of such was to create different ways for people attending to participate in the community gathering. I noticed as we lived this out at events that not only was it more accessible, but it was also more engaging, and people felt much more connected. For example, when we were painting or writing, people were invited to show off their creative side in ways they read more
The Sip, See, and Support Recap
Dear Friends, For those who were not able to join us at the L'Arche NC house for our first event, WE MISSED YOU! The Sip, See, and Support provided an opportunity for local friends and supporters to visit the house for a tour filled with stories from former and current members of L'Arche communities. Our storytellers beautifully articulated the essence of L'Arche as more than just a house but a home where memories are made, and lives are transformed. They shared touching stories that we believe capture the heart of what we hope to achieve in our own L'Arche community in North Carolina. One poignant story was shared by Megan, from L’Arche Atlanta about a birthday celebration for a Core Member that included a beautiful tradition: “The guests encircled [the Core Member] and shared what they valued about her—her smile, her warmth, her sense of humor. Previously, her life had been marked by loneliness and rejection; she now beamed with a sense of belonging as she was surrounded by voices recognizing her value.” It's these simple yet profound moments, the celebration of individual triumphs, quirks, and existence, that read more
L’Arche NC receives Citizen Involvement Award
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that L'Arche NC has been honored with the 2023 Citizen Involvement Award by the Raleigh Mayor’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities! This recognition warms our hearts and reinforces the importance of our mission. At L'Arche NC, we're all about celebrating diversity, promoting inclusivity, and fostering a sense of belonging for people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. This award is not just a testament to our organization, but to the incredible individuals, volunteers, and supporters who make up the L'Arche NC Community. Your dedication and passion drive us to create a more inclusive world for everyone. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Mayor’s Committee for this acknowledgment. It fuels our passion to continue making a positive impact, fostering understanding, and embracing the diversity that makes our community so vibrant. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey. Together, we are breaking barriers and building a world where everyone is valued and included. Laura Steed Lorino, our Executive Director, and Kyla, a volunteer at L'Arche NC, accepted the award from Mayor Baldwin. read more
Renovations and Contractors
Dear Friends, I hope you are well and filled with the same sense of excitement and purpose that I have as we embark on this next phase of the L’Arche NC journey together. Today, I am reaching out to you not only as the Executive Director of L'Arche North Carolina but also as a proud supporter and believer in the incredible mission that unites us. Over the past two weeks, we have met with General Contractors and other skilled experts to discuss the necessary renovations to make this house a L’Arche home. We will need to renovate one bathroom for accessibility, create a safe egress from two bedrooms, repair outdated electrical components, and create an accessible entrance to the house. These projects, along with the regular operating costs of starting a L’Arche community, will require a great deal of resources. As someone who has been fortunate enough to witness the transformative power of L'Arche firsthand, it is both an honor and a privilege for me to personally contribute to our current fundraiser campaign. The heartwarming stories, the genuine connections, and the profound impact that L'Arche has on the read more
