What L’Arche means to me is love and family and all unity.
— Audreanne, Core Member
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Mission and Values
Our mission is to make known the gifts of people with developmental disabilities, revealed through mutually transforming relationships.
To foster an environment in community that responds to the changing needs of our members, whilst being faithful to the core values of our founding story.
Engage in our diverse cultures, working together toward a more human society.
About L’Arche Sudbury
Founded in 1982, L’Arche Sudbury is proud to have three homes where people with and without intellectual disabilities can live, work, and celebrate the gift of sharing life with one another. These three homes are named Bethany House, Galilee House, and Jericho House.
The L’Arche Sudbury community consists of Core Members (persons with intellectual disabilities), Assistants(staff), Volunteers, and an amazing Board of Directors, all of whom are dedicated to building relationships with one another. The L’Arche community is unlike most service agencies who stop at the boundary of professional caregiving. In fact, it is a unique service agency that truly values the importance of forming meaningful relationships.
Unique Community Model
Persons with disabilities are called “core members”, rather than “clients”, “patients”, or “consumers.” They are the “core” of the membership and the reason for the existence of the community.
Those who provide assistance to core members in our homes are called “assistants”, rather than “staff”, “employees”, or “counselors.” Individuals lead their own lives, with the support of assistants.
Assistants and core members live together in homes or apartments in the same way that many people share home life.
Professional caregiving is provided, however the concept of “Interdependence” is key. Everyone has needs and everyone has gifts to share. The Assistants are not just there to meet the physical needs of people. When you grow a relationship with the person you support, it goes past the function of just personal care and to the place of wanting to provide all you can to the person you’re helping, because you care deeply about their entire well-being.
Promoting the personal growth of individuals with disabilities, and all members of the community are a priority. Investing in people through training, learning opportunities and regular feedback is a priority.
Everyone in the homes/programs, core members and assistants alike, are considered to be equally responsible for the life of the community.
Funding and Support
L’Arche receives modest funding from the provincial governments to cover the costs of its day-to-day operations. As such, it is governed by the same guidelines and licensing regulations as other government funded agencies that support people with disabilities.
L’Arche Sudbury is a registered charitable organisation and relies heavily on fundraising to support projects such as work programs, travel, and other services that enhance the quality of community life.
Inclusion and Diversity
L’Arche Sudbury is an inclusive, diverse, non-denominational, non-sectarian organization, and is not officially affiliated with any particular religious practice. There are people in L’Arche from many religious practices, and many who claim no religious affiliation. L’Arche Sudbury supports all its members to practice their spirituality in ways that are meaningful to them. L’Arche Sudbury is grateful for the numerous organized faith groups who have, and continue to welcome our members into their congregations.
Community Participation Program
L’Arche Sudbury has always been an advocate for ensuring people’s needs are met in the most ethical and responsible way. As of April 1, 2015, L’Arche began implementing shifts to our Vocational Program to better meet the changing needs of our members. We created the Community Participation Services and Supports Program, (CPP) as a means to provide daily support to adults over the age of 18 who are deemed eligible for support through Developmental Service Ontario. This program was specifically created to assist people and add meaningful activities to their day. It is due to our involvement with these local activities that we can create awareness about L’Arche and continue to shape our visible presence in our local city.
We continue to provide Vocational Services to support people who have a desire to work or volunteer. We have been mandated to support people of all gifts and abilities. We will continue to help people find meaningful places to work or volunteer in our community with the support of a L’Arche Program Assistant, however, our services have expanded to include the following:
Activities such as personal development, basic life skills training, social and recreational activities, volunteering and other activities that lead to community participation.
Assistance for individuals who have left school, by providing innovative community participation.
To support the development of personal individual support plan (ISP) based on the principles of self-determination, social inclusion, citizenship, choice and to provide services that are reflective of the plan.
Soon, our program will provide purchased supports and services via Passport Mentoring Service Funding. We ask that all participants inquire about this funding through the Developmental Services of Ontario (DSO). This funding will help us expand the variety of community outlets we pursue.