Solidarity
L'Arche Haiti : A Reporter-Photographer's Chronicle
 Images of L'Arche
L'Arche viewed through the eyes of artists and photographers
 A Human Future
Community-Building on an Urban Scale? An Interview with Mayor Naheed Nenshi of Calgary
 

 

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).

 

Let us in, I want to learn ...

Production : Down Syndrome International

C'est ça la vie! (That’s Life) L'Arche presented on Radio-Canada television

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What is L'Arche ?
A Journey of Personal Growth
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Jean Vanier Latest Letter

Since the beginnings of L’Arche (August 1964), Jean Vanier has always wanted to communicate what he was living, wishing to create a network of friendship and fraternity, focused on those who are most marginalized in our societies – people living with an intellectual disability. Through circular letters, he also wanted to thank those who generously supported him in the adventure of L’Arche.

 


L'Arche Homefires Community Leader Receives Diamond Jubilee Medal

Ingrid Blais receives Award
Senator Ogilvie and Ingrid Blais

We are pleased to announce that Ingrid Blais, Community Leader of L'Arche Homefires, was honoured recently as a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. In all, 60,000 Canadians across the country are being honoured this year with the Jubilee Medal for their contributions and achievements. The medal was presented to Ingrid this past Sunday, July 8th, in Wolfville, NS, by The Honourable Kelvin K. Ogilvie, Senator.

 

Updated Editions of Jean Vanier's Books

 

The Heart of L’Arche and An Ark for the Poor were both originally published in 1995.  These updated editions were revised by Jean Vaner himself, as he looks back on 47 years of the spirituality of L’Arche, at the age of 83.  Learn more about the history of L'Arche and its spirituality. The new editions can be ordered at amazon.ca

 - An Ark for the Poor
- The Hearth of L'Arche

University of Waterloo Co-op Program recognized L’Arche Ontario with Top Employer Award

On Monday March 19, L’Arche Ontario was named one of the Top 100 Employers by the University of Waterloo Co-op Program because of its commitment and support to co-op students over the years.

Mike Mattice and Karen Dennison from L’Arche Hamilton represented L’Arche at the event.

 

 

Down Syndrome Going Viral?

 2 large posters in Avenue Matignon in Paris

Trisomy 21, so what? is a publicity campaign from Spain, which has now taken off in France, where it can be seen on Paris billboards, and on the front page of Voici! magazine. It is also circulating widely on Facebook, and has the support of several large companies.

L'Arche salutes the parents who are the originators of this beautiful campaign, and who, in spite of new genetic tests available, dare to say today: "Trisomy 21, so what?"!


Do You Want to Dance?

 

Every cell in the human body has 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 total chromosomes). That is, for most of us. A whole bunch of people in our world have an extra chromosome. The extra chromosome causes problems with the way the body and brain develop. Actually it is not a problem because ... Read Nathan Ball's blog

 

Disability Is By Nature Anti-establishment

According to journalist and author Ian Brown, it is the impossibility for him and his disabled son Walker (The Boy in the Moon) to “achieve” much or even disappoint each other that allows them to be who they actually are with each other, thus escaping what society says we are supposed to be.

Read Ian Brown's reflections in the the Globe and Mail (August 27th 2011). 

 


 

L'Arche Ontario Art Exhibit at Queen's Park

For over 40 years, the members of L’Arche in Ontario have been discovering the power of art as a way for members with intellectual disabilities to discover and express themselves, to connect with others, and to participate fully in the wider community.

The result is a wonderful exhibition full of vitality, energy – and life that was presented May 28/29 at Queen’s Park during “Doors Open Toronto.”

Click here to visit the exhibition online
 

 


 

 Click here to lear more about Jean Vanier Support Network


Illustration by Jens Bonnke


 

Daily thought
Yes, We Can Change the World
But we can, if we want, just rise up in our place and change the world. We can choose to be sensitive to those who somewhere have been crushed and are hiding behind their walls of depression...
L'Arche Canada - 2013