Last summer, I had the opportunity to visit L’Arche Greater Washington D.C. (GWDC). It was wonderful to visit one of their four homes and meet the community members. One Core Member who I had the pleasure of meeting was Michael. As we were finishing up lunch, one of his friends stopped by to join him on his daily visit to McDonald’s for his three cups of coffee (yes, three!). Rain, snow, or shine, he goes to McD’s for this daily treat. I learned that Michael has been doing this for decades, and if you’re selected to go with him to McDonald’s, you are one lucky friend! Everyone knows him, and on his journey around the block to the local golden arches, he is greeted by friends and neighbors along the sidewalk and at the restaurant.
During my visit, I also learned that each Tuesday, L’Arche GWDC holds a weekly celebration dinner. This is an opportunity to gather as a wider community and celebrate the big (and small!) things, such as birthdays, a new haircut, holidays, and, of course, anniversaries. This year, Michael is celebrating his 40th year of living in community at L’Arche GWDC! I have no doubt that the celebration for Michael will be unforgettable.
L’Arche GWDC shared in one of their previous newsletters:
Michael came to L’Arche in 1983 just as the community was being founded. He was curious and understandably apprehensive. What is L’Arche? Will I like the people who are part of L’Arche, and will they accept me?
Michael could never have imagined that this year he would be celebrating his 40th anniversary in L’Arche. He would have had no way of envisioning the quality of life that he has enjoyed over the past four decades. The deep loving friendships with the other daily life members of L’Arche, his fellow core members, and assistants. The countless people that he has welcomed as guests and friends to his L’Arche home on Ontario Road. His rich engagement in the greater community as an artist, active participation at his church Eighth Day, and many, many trips to his favorite places: the presidential libraries and McDonald’s.
And who could have imagined the impact that Michael would have on the lives of so many people over these years? Now almost 77 years old, Michael is a founder of L’Arche GWDC, a trusted elder, a man of the heart, and a person who embodies L’Arche’s mission to be a source of unity and peace in the world.
Right now, in North Carolina, we are searching for our first L’Arche home. We aren’t looking for a home for the next five years, but for the next 100 years! The house we are looking to secure will welcome Core Members, like Michael, to make it their home and share life together there for years and years to come. It will be a place where transformative friendships are formed and where we celebrate little wins and big moments, like 40th anniversaries. Our Core Members and assistants will create daily and weekly routines as they settle into the neighborhood. Just as Michael is a blessing to each person he meets on his daily journey to McDonald’s, the members of our community will be a blessing to the surrounding area.
I am excited to be at this milestone of looking for our first home. This only possible because of the generosity of many individuals, families, and congregations. Similar to L’Arche GWDC, our community has much to celebrate. I’m grateful for you and the many ways you have supported our L’Arche NC journey, from the early days of picnics to our now monthly gatherings in Raleigh at the Bulla Center.
To date, we have raised one-third of our Sailing Home campaign (campaign total: $1.5 million). This is our start-up campaign, and the funding raised goes directly to establishing our inclusive community for people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. There are three main focuses of our campaign:
- Place: our first home
- Programs: increasing the social, spiritual, and educational opportunities
- People: building capacity and sustainability of L’Arche North Carolina as we establish in the Triangle Area
Help us move closer to establishing a warm and welcoming community for friends in the Triangle area who need a place to call home and people to call friends for the next 100 years.
As we enter into tax season, if you are blessed to receive a return, consider sharing that blessing to help us purchase our first home. Click the button below to make a donation. No amount is too small.
If you’re interested in donating a Leadership Gift ($10,000 or more), please email me, [email protected].
Many thanks,
Laura Steed Lorino, Executive Director
