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vanier

Jean Vanier is the founder of L'Arche. He has written many books including Community and Growth. He has many Radio Interviews including An Unedited Interview with Krista Tipett.

L'Arche is a French term which means The Ark. It refers to the the vessel that, according to the Book of Genesis (Chap. 6:9), was built by Noah at God's command to save himself, his family, and the world's animals from a worldwide deluge. It also signifies a place of safety and refuge in which people share their lives in mutual relationship. L'Arche is a sign of renewal.

L'Arche is an international federation of intentional communities dedicated to the creation and growth of homes, programs and support networks in which people with and without intellectual disabilities live together, work together, play together and pray together, creating home. Coremembers – persons with disabilities – make up the heart and the core of our communities. Those who live and share life with them are called Assistants.

French Canadian Jean Vanier, the son of Canadian Governor General Georges Vanier and Pauline Vanier, founded L'Arche as a Catholic organization in 1964 in Trosly-Breuil, France when he invited two men with disabilities to come live with him. From this humble beginning,L'Arche has grown into 140 communities in 36 countries throughout the world. L’Arche currently includes around 5,000 people from many different cultures, speaking more than 20 languages. Throughout it's years of existence, it has evolved into an ecumenical organization which centers itself in faith in God and welcomes people from all religious traditions, and those with no tradition at all.

At the heart of L’Arche communities are relationships between people with and without intellectual disabilities. A respectful relationship between people who treat each other as of equal value provides security, allowing for growth, personal development and freedom to become more fully the people we want to be. Most importantly, mutual relationships foster the acceptance of each person as a unique and valuable individual, whatever his or her abilities or disabilities.

"The belief in the inner beauty of each and every human being is at the heart of L’Arche."

Each L’Arche community is a unique place to foster friendship, and mutuality between people with and without disabilities without regard to race, religion or culture. We create home and strive to create an opportunity for our community members to live meaningfully, and to be a concrete sign of the dignity and value of human life.

L'Arche of Spokane is one of the existing communities in the United States of America.

Have specific question? Feel free to email us at info@larcheofspokane.org.

HOME: Welcome to L'Arche Spokane

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