Patrick with Judie, L'Arche Greater Vancouver's community founder.
What distinguishes L’Arche is its focus on building meaningful relationships between the people with developmental disabilities and those without. We seek to help people with a disability through a life that guarantees them a stable home, companionship, on-going learning and satisfying work. Care assistants and volunteers experience their own personal growth as they live and work together in community.
We believe in the value of a shared life together; a simple lifestyle and embracing the spirit of the Gospels. L’Arche Greater Vancouver welcomes people of all religions, races, genders and cultural backgrounds and supports each person’s spiritual journey.
Founded in 1974, L’Arche Greater Vancouver has six homes in South Burnaby and two day programs. We are accredited as a quality care facility by CARF (The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) and were awarded “The Non-Profit Organization of the Year” by the City of Burnaby and the Burnaby Board of Trade in November 2008.
Jean Vanier, founder of L'Arche, with Gwenda.
L’Arche means “The Ark” referring to the Old Testament symbol of refuge and safety. It was also the name of the home in France where our founder, Jean Vanier, son of Canada’s former Governor General, welcomed two people from an institution to live with him. This act of welcome inspired an international movement which has grown into the International Federation of L’Arche communities. L’Arche Greater Vancouver is one of 25 L’Arche communities across Canada and one of 135 communities in 30 countries on five continents.
