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 with community. The events are perfect for our friend with I/DD to connect with other adults, while also providing an opportunity for this Support Provider to chat with friends. At L’Arche events, they both get to share stories, experiences, and build meaningful connections.
The impact of L’Arche extends far beyond those with disabilities. Support Providers, like our thoughtful friend, find camaraderie within our community. It becomes a space where the challenges of finding suitable activities for adults with disabilities are replaced with shared laughter, understanding, and a sense of belonging.
Your support can help us continue creating these transformative moments. Join us in fostering a community where everyone, regardless of ability, finds not just activities but genuine connections and a place to call home. Donate today and be a part of the ripple effect of joy and inclusivity that L’Arche NC brings to individuals, Support Providers, families, and friends alike.
Our New Website
Check out information about our site redesign!
You’re Never The Same
At my first prayer service at L'Arche, a long-term assistant welcomed me and said, "Be careful. L'Arche gets in your blood, and you're never the same." 26 years later, I still affirm that she was right. L'Arche is so much a part of me that it's like it's "in my blood."
Welcome Tatum Tricarico, our new Disability & Theology Intern
This month, we welcomed a Duke Divinity School Intern to L'Arche North Carolina. We are excited to introduce Tatum Tricarico.
Passion & Gifts
by Tammy Breeding, Board Chair L'Arche Fort Collins Recently I attended an event entitled “Y'all Belong Here.” It is an inclusive sacred space event collaboration by L’Arche Atlanta and L’Arche North Carolina. I love to attend, to make time in the midst of a busy day for a “soul break”, to focus on gratitude. The theme was Passion & Gifts. We were invited to ask ourselves questions, such as “What do you Love?”, “What are you good at?”, and “How can you use your gifts to benefit the world around you?”. For me, I love children, nature, music, and faith. I am good at collaboration, singing, organization, and communication. I can use my gifts to benefit the world around me through my involvement in L’Arche. I find that the more I receive from L’Arche, the more I want to give back to L’Arche. I have a son with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and one of the things I love about him is his childlike approach to life. When I look at the world through his eyes, I get in touch with my own inner child, and experience joy read more
A Welcome Like No Other
Last month, I had the opportunity to visit L'Arche Atlanta for a couple of days. Before I tell you about this amazing community, I'd love to share briefly-ish how I came to work for L'Arche North Carolina.
What a Ball!
Our L'Arche Community is growing! We had some new friends and familiar faces gather at the Durham Bulls game on Friday, August 12. We had a total of 29 people join us as we cheered on the Durham Bulls! Our enthusiastic cheers helped the Bulls win against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. Winning was fun, but the best part of the evening was getting to know new friends. The night ended with fireworks -- which was fitting because we all had a BLAST! This community gathering was made possible by grant funds from the NCCDD Summer Program Grant. We are grateful for the ways these funds have helped provide opportunities to be and learn together.
Sharing about L’Arche
We love visitng local congregations and organizations! Yesterday L'Arche was at Raleigh Mennonite Church. We visited with Liddy Grantland, who graduated from Duke University and now serves the L'Arche GWDC (Greater Washington D.C) community. She delivered a sermon during the service with L'Arche stories, reflections, and wisdom. You can listen to her sermon here. Through Liddy's stories, you can learn more about L'Arche. As she shares about her community, we invite you to consider supporting L'Arche GWDC, but in prayer and gifts. Likewise, as you listen, dream with us about the L'Arche Community we are building here in the Triangle Area. During the service, we also had the opportunity to share some of the gifts of L'Arche North Carolina. Kyla, a regular volunteer and participant of L'Arche NC, shared a poem and Laura provided image description of the slides. It's always a blessing to be in community with local congregations. We'd love to visit you and your religious, nonfaith, or civic group. Please email [email protected] to plan a L'Arche NC visit to your club or organization.
What a SAILABRATION: a recap of our 2022 breakfast fundraiser
On Saturday, July 23 we held a L'Arche NC SAILABRATION Breakfast at Duke Memorial UMC in Durham. We had pancakes, music, and a mini boat regatta! This gathering celebrated our growing community. It provided an opportunity for friends (new and old) to come together for fun. Thank you to everyone who joined us. It was so much to create and watch the regatta race. Congrats to Kevin for winning the Fastest Boat Award and Dash for winning Best of Show. During our morning together, our Executive Director, Laura Steed Lorino, asked audience members, "What are you celebrating this month? There is always something to celebrate!" Some attendees shared of new jobs, others shared about their anniversary, while others focused on recent accomplishments. At L'Arche, we CELEBRATE! And, we continue to celebrate the community that is growing in the Triangle Area of North Carolina. THANK YOU for being a part of it. Our breakfast also meant that we could share more about the mission and vision of L'Arche NC. We are excited for our future! L'Arche staff, read more
