OUR STORIES, OUR HISTORY

Melissa: I came to L'Arche after my father introduced me to Henri Nouwen's writings, and after my friend spoke so highly of her experience as an assistant in a L'Arche community in France. I am from Virginia, but I spent my first year in L'Arche in New Zealand. The people were wonderfully welcoming, and it was a tough decision whether to stay there or to come home. I decided that I couldn't leave both New Zealand and L'Arche, having loved my life in the community there, so I applied to and was welcomed to be an assistant in L'Arche DC. I've found that though the culture of the two countries is very different, the spirit and mission of L'Arche is definitely the same. I feel like I'm living with some of the most gifted people I've ever known.

Abdul: When I first came to community in the summer of 2001, I had minimal expectations. L'Arche's whole vision, Jean Vanier, and other key principals had not registered yet. Being my first work opportunity coming out of undergrad, I had a fresh focus to make a positive impression. I just wanted to meet and help people that needed my gifts to maintain and develop autonomy. As I slowly phase out of community, I hope that I delivered on that ideal. L'Arche to me exemplifies the power of communication in bonding human relations, a sorely needed theme in our increasingly mute world.

Don: I have been in community for almost 9 years. I first learned about L'Arche through the Eighth Day Faith Community. At that time, many assistants, core people, and the community leader were members of the Eighth Day church. My first role in L'Arche was as a volunteer helping Glen. In July of 1997, I became an assistant. Now, my role is service coordinator. I am responsible for quality control in the homes and do a lot of the paperwork required by the District of Columbia government. Prior to coming to L'Arche, I worked in a variety of agencies helping the homeless. My wife Kathy and I will move into the basement of the Ontario Road home when the renovations are completed.