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My name is Michael.
It is my job to welcome you to L'Arche Washington, DC (L'Arche DC) because I have the best memory in our community. I love people and try to learn everything I can about the people I meet and their families. If you tell me something about your family, I don't forget it. I was the first person to move into a L'Arche DC home.

The community began in 1983, when I came, and now there are more than 20 of us. Most of us live in the two L'Arche DC homes in the Adams Morgan Neighborhood of Washington, DC. A few of us live in our own homes in the DC metropolitan area.

Some of us came to live in a L'Arche home because of our need for additional support in areas such as personal care, money management, and transportation. Others came to live in a L'Arche home because they wanted to experience sharing daily life and building community with people who have developmental disabilities.

We all came to L'Arche DC with a desire to live, work and pray together in a community that welcomes everyone's gifts and respects their differences. We stay in the L'Arche DC community because of the mutual relationships we build with each other.

Adams Morgan, the neighborhood where most of us live, has lots of restaurants, coffee shops, and interesting stores. Some people like the night life. I like going to a coffee shop and reading. You can learn more about our community in the About Us section.

And I'm John.
I'm one of the many people whom Michael has welcomed into the life of L'Arche DC. Now I am the community leader.

L'Arche DC has a dual identity and a dual mission. First, we are a faith community where Michael and I and others share our lives together. As you may already be able to tell, Michael has special gifts in creating a family-like community, and he helps me be a part of it.

Secondly, L'Arche DC is a licensed social services agency that offers professional services to people with developmental disabilities. This is how I use my gifts to help Michael. You can learn more by reading our Mission and Identity.

We hope that our website will help you get to know us better. We'd also like to get to know you. There are lots of ways to join us and support us. We hope you will.

• If a life changing adventure appeals to you, go to Join/Apply and learn more about living and working in L’Arche Washington, DC. (You may be eligible for Americorps Education Awards if you do!)
   
• Help us accomplish our mission through supporting us financially or as a volunteer. To learn more, go to Support Us.
   
• You can also e-mail us and come for a visit. To learn more, see Contact Us.

Welcome to L'Arche Washington, DC!