L'Arche Greater Washington, DC

Description

Mission: L'Arche Greater Washington, DC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that builds communities of faith and lifelong homes with and for people who have developmental disabilities (a term that typically includes mental retardation and often includes physical disabilities as well). Currently, Lâ Arche provides housing and individualized support services to nine people with developmental disabilities in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC. In the winter of 2005, Lâ Arche will begin providing housing and community in Arlington, Virginia as well. Lâ Arche also provides regular training to area churches and peer providers on the inherent strengths and gifts of people with developmental disabilities. What distinguishes Lâ Arche from other residential service providers is our emphasis that all individuals have a unique value and vocation integral to the health of the entire human family. Thus Lâ Arche responds to the fundamental needs of the human heart by providing: home, fulfilling work, celebration, belonging, security, the opportunity to learn, to contribute, to love and to be loved. It is by meeting these needs Lâ Arche, along with outreach efforts to communicate the inherent worth of people with developmental disabilities, has become a springboard for full inclusion of core people into their community, with all the opportunities and choices this implies.