Where I learned about Belonging
Written by Rev. Christi Dye
When have you felt that you TRULY belonged?
I knew it in some ways in the church (grew up a pastor’s kid), in some ways at school and home, in some ways at Duke, where I went to undergrad.
But never–even in all these environments– like I did sitting around the dinner table at the Red House at L’Arche Daybreak in Canada.
I lived in L’Arche for 9 years, and no other life experience before or after has given me the sense of belonging I felt there. (Above, I’ve shared a current photo of me and my children at the L’Arche Daybreak Craft Studio–we still visit every few years, 30 years after I first arrived to live and serve there.)
By the world’s standards, I belong and have “succeeded” in life. I mean, I went to THE BEST University, Duke (UNC and NC State fans, just hang with me…), where I proved my “worth” through test scores and accomplishments.
But in L’Arche, you BELONG because you are created in the image of God, because you have inherent worth, because you are created with a purpose–no matter your abilities, your background, your past, your brokenness—there is a place for you at the table.
This kind of belonging is all too rare in this world. Especially now, as our society, state, country, lawmakers, and people in power are devaluing and dehumanizing people at every turn.
Every person is created in the divine image. I am so grateful for the way that L’Arche makes this real in the lives of countless people–in my life and hundreds of others I know who have experienced L’Arche. Belonging is being made real right here and now, in day-to-day conversations, around the dinner table, in celebrations, friendships, and welcome.
Want to do something to nurture belonging in a world of exclusion and oppression? Give to L’Arche! It’s the impact that goes on and on and on…
Today, L’Arche North Carolina is creating that same kind of community here in the Triangle. Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities—called Core Members at L’Arche—share life with assistants who aren’t there simply to complete a shift or a checklist. They are building relationships and creating a home together.
Creating this kind of belonging takes all of us. Even after Medicaid and other state funding, L’Arche faces an $8,000 gap each month to sustain its relationship-centered model—valuing 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
See Our New Home!
We're excited to share that we've purchased our first L'Arche NC Home! We closed on our first L'Arche NC house on Thursday, July 27, 2023. We are excited that this beautiful home will bring belonging and community to the Triangle.
Celebrating the ADA: Book Recommendations
During the month of July, we celebrate Disability Pride and the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26th! We celebrate this important civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. This month and always, we seek to learn and grow together. Our former Duke Divinity Intern, Tatum Tricarico, has book recommendations! Tatum says, "These books have helped me feel known, validated my experience, given me language to describe myself, and given me mentors and friends in my community. They truly have changed my life. I hope you enjoy!" Introduction to Disability Demystifying Disability, Emily Ladau Disability History Of The United States, Kim Nielsen Autobiography Being Heumann, Judith Heumann Haben, Haben Girma Year of The Tiger, Alice Wong The Pretty One, Keah Brown Exile and Pride, Eli Clare Sitting Pretty, Rebekah Taussig Anthologies Disability Visibility, Edited by Alive Wong About us, Edited by Andrew Solomon Disability Justice Care Work, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha The Future is Disabled, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha Disability read more
Help Make a House a HOME: $100K in 100 Days!
Our dream is to transform a house into a loving home, a place where laughter echoes through the halls and where bonds of friendship and family are forged. With your help, we aim to raise $100,000 in just 100 days for essential renovations that will make this dream come true.
