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Two core members are walking and holding hands in a parking lot on a cloudy day.
Two core members and an assistant are swimming in a pool smiling at the camera.
Two men wearing semi-formal attire attend a L'Arche Ottawa event while the sun shines through the colourful mosaic windows in the background.
L’Arche is a national leader in building communities of inclusion and belonging

Our Impact

We believe in the transformational power of relationships between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Today our shared life is more relevant and challenging than ever before.  

From the 2023-28 Mandate of the International Federation of L’Arche Communities 

L’Arche Ottawa is part of an international movement in building communities of inclusion and belonging. With a presence in Ottawa since 1972, L’Arche Ottawa is one of the only bilingual organizations in the National Capital Region committed to fostering the social inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. The impact of L’Arche in Ottawa extends far beyond those living in our homes, and reaches many people and families in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and the community more broadly.   

 

A woman wearing glasses and a black and white blazer holds a platter of sandwiches at a L'Arche Ottawa event with purple and yellow paintings in the background.
Two core members smile at the camera while one of them is eating a piece of birthday cake at the L'Arche Ottawa community centre.
A woman in a red dress stands beside another woman wearing a colourful orange shirt, near a snack table at a L'Arche Ottawa event.
Annual Report
Download our recent Annual Report
A group of 14 volunteers pose in front of the L'Arche Ottawa sign in front of the community centre on a sunny day.

Creating a world where everyone belongs!

With a presence in Canada since 1969, L’Arche Canada is recognized as one of the few national, bilingual organizations committed to the social inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. There are nearly 160 L’Arche communities in 38 countries around the world, with over 12,000 members.

L’Arche is an international federation of communities where people with and without intellectual disabilities live together, work together, and support and learn from one another.

About L'Arche

Our Impact Across Ottawa (and beyond!)

vibrant orange icon of three people
6 Homes

In three different neighbourhoods in Ottawa

 

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27 Core Members

With intellectual disabilities living in community in L’Arche homes

 

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12 Day Program Activities

Open to anyone living in the Ottawa area, the Day Program offers stimulating activities for adults with intellectual disabilities and seniors

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38 assistants

Who support and live in community with the Core Members

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30+ Volunteers

Providing support to our community and the neighbourhoods in which we live

L’Arche's Model

Sharing life in communities of friendship and belonging

L’Arche creates communities where the members, with and without intellectual disabilities, share life together.

While delivered through a unique relational model, these supports are funded by and meet or exceed government standards. L’Arche communities work closely with family/other advocates, professionals and other service providers.

L’Arche provides supports for persons with intellectual disabilities to have mutual, caring relationships, a personal spiritual journey, a home, meaningful work daytime activity, and belonging in their areas of interest.

Supports for a good and meaningful life

Each person has a personal support plan developed by listening to their hopes and dreams, choices and goals. The plan responds to their care needs as they change over time. Their circles help individuals meet their goals for a good and meaningful life.

Through our Growth Initiative, L’Arche Canada is working with the L’Arche communities, benefactors and external partners to develop diverse, innovative, and sustainable ways for more people with intellectual disabilities to share life in L’Arche, providing more choices that meet their hopes and needs for a meaningful life.

Three women hold their medals up while one of them takes a selfie of the group at the Ottawa Tamarack Race Weekend.

The persons supported and those who support them help each other reach their full potential.

A group of core members visiting downtown Ottawa in front of a big Ottawa sign with blue skies in the background.

L’Arche communities do not exist for themselves alone.

Three core members are baking together and helping each other pour flour from one bowl into another bowl.

Life-sharing breaks down the barriers in the traditional caregiving relationship.

A group of people are sitting in a circle on chairs with different coloured drums in front of their legs.

Mutual care, respect and compassion transform these relationships.

A group of core members and assistants are smiling together in the foyer at L'Arche Ottawa.

The members participate in and contribute to the life of their families, neighbourhoods, towns and cities, and the faith, cultural, service and recreational organizations where they belong.

A core member sits at a wooden table while knitting using yellow yarn. A brown piano sits behind the core member.

Each member receives support to grow, attain their goals, and contribute their gifts and abilities.

Two people sit beside each other at a L'Arche Ottawa event holding plates of snacks while other attendees mingle in the background.

L’Arche creates communities of friendship and belonging.

We believe in the transformational power of relationships between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Today our shared life is more relevant and challenging than ever before.

Two people smile at the camera, one of them wearing a blue dress sitting in a wheelchair while the other stands beside wearing a green sweater.

L’Arche in Canada Today

L’Arche Canada is part of an international federation of 180+ L’Arche communities and projects in development in 38 countries around the world, with over 12,000 members. Together, we work towards a world where people with and without intellectual disabilities live and work together.