Canadian Partners
NEW for Intercordia this year!
This year’s participants in the program now have the option of choosing to do a placement in any L’Arche community across Canada.
L’Arche was founded in 1964 by Canadian humanitarian and social visionary, Jean Vanier. Distressed by the institutionalization and the isolation and loneliness of people with developmental disabilities, Jean Vanier invited two men from an institution to live with him in a small house. He called the house ‘‘L’Arche,’’ a French word for ‘‘the ark’’ in the biblical story of Noah and the flood. L’Arche grew quickly and spread around the world, attracting many young people who wanted to help and open new homes and workshops. L’Arche began in Canada in 1969. Today, there are over 130 L’Arche communities in 34 countries on six continents. All of these communities are part of the International Federation of L’Arche Communities.
In L’Arche:
- People who have developmental disabilities and those who come to assist, share every day life and daytime activities together in family-like settings that are integrated into local neighbourhoods.
- Canada has nearly 200 homes and workshops or day programs. These are grouped into what L’Arche calls ‘‘communities.’’
- There are 27 communities of L’Arche located across Canada from Cape Breton to Vancouver Island and 2 projects that hope soon to become communities.
- An environment is created where people can reach their full potential, lead lives rich in relationships of mutuality, and have a valid place in society where they can contribute.
Students can choose to live…
...in a costal community like Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
...or Vancouver, British Columbia
...in a french speaking community in charming, historic Trois-Rivières
...or a prairie city like Lethbridge, Alberta
