L’Arche Canada Elects its Leaders for the Next Four Years
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| Hollee Card |
Gabrielle Beaulieu |
John Riestchlin |
At the end of May , delegates from the 29 Canadian L’Arche communities met in Vancouver for a General Assembly where they approved a mandate and elected its national leaders for the next four years. Hollee Card was chosen to continue as National Leader, Gabrielle Beaulieu to be the new Vice National Leader, and John Rietschlin, to continue as President of the L’Arche Canada Board of Directors. Hollee has a long history in L’Arche and has been in national leadership since 1999. Gabrielle was in L’Arche Beloeil as an assistant and house leader and later was Vice Regional Leader and Interim Leader in Quebec. She is a professional social worker. John has given leadership on the Board for some time. He is Manager of the Older Adults Team in the Social Research Division at Human Resources Skills Development Canada (HRSDC). Delegates included L’Arche members with intellectual disabilities. The Assembly concluded with a festive meal and evening.
L'Arche Canada is contributing panelists to the Conference ''Coming of Age: The dialogue continues''
 A national dialogue on aging for people with an intellectual disability April 18-20, 2013, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Ann Pavilonis will present on the "Healthy Aging" panel. Jane Powell will speak on the panel on "Grief, Loss and End of Life." Jane will be presenting L'Arche Canada's new bilingual online kit for conducting Grief Support Groups for People with Intellectual Disabilities. The Kit is available free of charge on L’Arche Canada’s Aging and Disability website.
Spring 2013 Impact Bulletin
 Everyone desires to contribute in some way to the lives of others. This is part of becoming fulfilled as human beings. People with intellectual disabilities are no different, and they have gifts that can transform situations and transform lives. The Spring Impact bulletin tells some stories of the transformative influence of individuals in L'Arche and of L'Arche communities themselves.
Toronto Star article points to Jean Vanier as a Canadian exemplar
 Jean Vanier and L'Arche received a very nice mention in Jim Coyle's article in the Toronto Star on Saturday, March 16th. The article, titled "The virtues of humility," was inspired by the choice of Pope Francis and explores the meaning of humility. It points to Jean as a Canadian exemplar.
Jean Vanier addresses WE Day
 With this 2-min. video, Jean Vanier kicked off the Toronto WE Day gathering of 20,000 youth. In thanking L'Arche Canada, Craig Kielburger said, "We couldn’t have been more thrilled with the launch of our We Day tour in Toronto and again, extend our gratitude to you and the team for the incredible video we were able to share. It truly set the tone and stage for the spectacular day which followed." Vanier's message appeared right after Nelly Furtado.
New Jean Vanier Videos Clips for Schools
 In July, grade 5 student Maya Pot travelled to Trosly-Breuil, France, with her dad, Warren, to help with videotaping Jean Vanier on themes related to creating a welcoming school culture and a better world--themes that are important to Canadian elementary and secondary schools and teachers and parents. There are 10 videos in 2 series, one more general and one on the theme of Hospitality, which is the "virtue for the month of September" in many Catholic schools.
Diploma in Intellectual Disability Studies Receives National Award
The Diploma in Intellectual Disability Studies developed by St.F.X.U. with significant L'Arche Canada input and involvement received an “Award of ” from CAUCE (the "Canadian Association for University Continuing Education") at its annual conference held this year in Saskatoon. In writing about its decision to bestow the award, CAUCE's Awards Committee said that they were “deeply impressed by how the Program enriches the lives of those with intellectual disabilities, and the Program's community partnership approach."
For more information about the Diploma in Intellectual Disability Studies, click here
L'Arche Opens a Barrier-Breaking Cafe in Winnipeg
On April 10th, L'Arche Winnipeg opened a 'barrier-breaking' café at 119 Regent Ave. West in Transcona.
L’Arche Tova Café will provide job opportunities for people with a developmental or intellectual disability and give visibility to the L'Arche community in Winnipeg.
Learn more on CBC News ...
Celebrating the Art of L'Arche Members 
An important way to love another person is to provide opportunity for them to give their gift. We want each person in a L’Arche community to be recognized for their unique way of giving and contributing. Discover in the last issue of the Impact Bulletin published by the L'Arche Canada Foundation the remarkable gift of four L’Arche members who are artists.
The UN Declares March 21st
"World Down Syndrome Day"
For this world premiere of Down Syndrom Day, L'Arche Canada salutes Shilongo from Namibia, Samridhi from Nepal, Lily from New Zealand, Onyinyechi form Nigeria, Muhammad from Pakistan, Rafael from Peru, Jan from Poland, Vera from Portugal, Sonya from Russia, Khaled fromm Saudi Arabia, Franziska form Gernmany, Pavel from Estonia, Thameez from South Africa, Zumra from Sri Lanka, Fredrika from Sweden, Amina from Tanzania, Wognanssan from Togo, Grace from the UK, Nina from the USA, Isabella from Venezuela, Gabriel from Austria, Ela from Bosnia, Bianca from Columbia, Louis from France, Logan from Canada ... and the more than 40,000 people living with Down syndrome in Canada. (Play this videoclip to learn more about them).
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Let us in, I want to learn ...
Production : Down Syndrome International
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C'est ça la vie! (That’s Life) L'Arche presented on Radio-Canada television
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