HISTORY

In 1964, Jean Vanier founded L'Arche by welcoming two men with intellectual disabilities from an institution to live with him in Trosly-Breuil, France. He wanted to offer these men a chance to experience life in a family-like home. He named the home "L'Arche" in reference to Noah's Ark - a place of refuge and new beginnings.

From that simple beginning L'Arche today has grown to over 150 faith-based communities in 30 countries throughout the world. One of the newest L'Arche communities is in Bangladesh. There are other communities throughout Africa, India, China, South America and Europe. Each community is created with the same intention - to offer people with intellectual disabilities a home where they belong, where they can grow and where they can share their gifts with others. The L'Arche community in Greater Washington, DC began in 1983.

When L'Arche Greater Washington, DC opened, the District of Columbia was "reforming" its residential services system for people with intellictual disabilities. The city had closed down the city run institution, Forest Haven, and was contracting with private organizations to create smaller group homes in the community. A group of people who attended a talk by Jean Vanier at Georgetown University saw a need for housing and support services that recognized the deeply human need for belonging. They became inspired to open a L'Arche community in Washington, DC. The first home opened in DC with the welcoming of Michael, Gene and Glen. With the mission of building communities of faith and lifelong homes with people who have intellectual disabilities, L'Arche quickly grew to two homes. Soon L'Arche Greater Washington, DC will open a third home in Arlington, Virginia.

©2002, MARTIN LUEDERS

Facilitating mutual friendships and providing opportunities to belong is a major distinction of the L'Arche approach to service. The center of life at L'Arche is the mutual relationship between the core people and those who assist them.

Daily life at L'Arche has a normal rhythm that is set by the people with intellectual disabilities. They are at the core of each L'Arche community, which tries to respond to the fundamental needs of the human heart -- home, fulfilling work, a chance to learn, participate, contribute and have fun.
See Professional Services for more information.