Happy Birthday L Arche

31 May 2016





38 years sharing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities


 


L’Arche celebrates their 38th birthday in Ireland


 


Monday, 30th of May, 2016 – The International federation of L’Arche is celebrating their 38th birthday in Ireland. The first community in the country was founded on May 31st, 1978 in Kilmoganny, County Kilkenny. Since then, three other communities have been established in Belfast, Cork and Dublin, helping people with different intellectual disabilities live and thrive, by providing a home, daily care, and support for education and employment.


 


L’Arche, a French word for the Ark, is an international federation of faith communities where people with and without an intellectual disability share life together. Their mission is to make known the gifts of people with intellectual disabilities revealed through mutually transforming and interdependence relationships.


 


"We believe that each human being has the capacity to grow and fulfil their potential for contributing their unique gift to the world. People with intellectual disabilities have gifts that are needed by our world", Mairead Boland-Brabazon, CEO at L’Arche Ireland says.


 


L’Arche was founded in 1964 in a small French village by Jean Vanier, Canadian Catholic philosopher, theologian and humanitarian. Distressed by the appalling conditions he saw in institutions where people with intellectual disabilities were being treated, Jean invited two men with intellectual disabilities to live with him. The three created home life together, sharing daily tasks and times of relaxation as a family. From these simple beginnings L’Arche has grown into an international federation of 147 communities in over 35 countries.


 


“In a world that is so divided and broken we want our communities to be a sign of reconciliation, hope and peace. We are a very diverse group from all walks of life. Some of our disabilities are obvious, some are hidden, but all of us share in the mission of L’Arche, of changing the world one heart at a time”, Mairead comments.


 


L’Arche’s important social role was highlighted by former Irish president, Mary McAleese, in her remarks at the Millennium celebration of L'Arche, Faith and Light, and Faith and Friendship, sister organisations, where she said:" If you want to see Ireland at its best, if you want to see God's people at their best, if you want to see His work done well, yes, this is the place to be".


 


For more information about L’Arche Ireland and how to get involved please visit www.larcheireland.org


 


 


About L’Arche:


L’Arche is an International Federation dedicated to the creation and growth of homes, programs and support networks where people who have intellectual disabilities and people without intellectual disabilities live mutual relationships and share daily life, building community together.


There are currently 146 communities in 35 countries. Each community is comprised of homes and day programs, which operate according to a not-for-profit model. Our model of care is unique: people with intellectual disabilities are at the heart of L’Arche – not as clients, patients, or recipients of services but as friends, teachers and companions.