L'Arche Canada

The L'Arche orgnization focuses on developing a strong sense of community spirit. Their goal isn't simply a polite acceptence of difference. The L'Arche communities across Canada and the world seek to meet those with differences, appreciate them, and create bonds of friendship with them. The organization is a unique vision of caregiving and community development that fosters inclusion, understanding, and belonging. In over 200 venues across Canada, volunteers dedicate themselves to those with developmental disabilities. They work to promote positive social values as well as attitudes and skills to enable healthy networks of belonging.

"When we let go of our usual categories and the productivity-oriented measuring systems so common in our culture, we can be surprised by the abilities that people with developmental disabilities often reveal - their keen sensitivity to interpersonal situations, the depth of their empathy, their willingness to overlook and to forgive, their faithfulness, their acceptance of difference, their originality, their capacity to be present and to cut through pretense, their resilience, the creativity of what they produce, and their gift for celebration."

-L'Arche Canada 2005

We look forward to helping develop and promote these ideas as we trek across Canada this summer.

PreTrip considerations

We've just graduated and are looking forward to exploring Canada on this exciting journey. After completing our undergrad schooling at St. FX, we hope to gain a fresh perspective of the Canadian Landscape. We look forward to the experience and hope that we can raise some money and support for the L'Arche community along the way.

As we gear up for this trip, we are confronted with the reality of our financially draining university experience. Though an unforgettable experience, these past four years have been a financial burden. In order to complete this journey, we will first need to organize ourselves financially and make sure we can complete this journey. Before we can direct our fundraising efforts to the L'Arche community, we will need to raise money to cover our base costs, including our bikes and supplies. From there, our fundraising efforts will be directed to the L'Arche community, in hopes of promoting their worldly vision of community and contribution.