L'Arche Ottawa » Activities at L'Arche Ottawa

L'Arche Ottawa

Come and see Greg's place!

Thanks to the generous support of the Greg Kazmierski fund, people with disabilities have a place to belong. Greg’s place is named in memory of Mayor Greg, Honourary Mayor of Blackburn Hamlet, and a beloved member of our community.

In addition to a fee-for-service program of fun activities in our community center and in the community, we organize community activities and events for the extended L’Arche family. This includes thanksgiving meals, holiday celebrations, marathons, prayers, and much more…stay tuned!

A core member stands in a pool holding two blue flotation devices in each hand.

Swimming

Our participants love this relaxing social time to float and move freely in a warm fully-accessible pool in downtown Ottawa.

A group of core members and assistants are sitting on chairs in a circle while doing exercises.

Chair Exercise/Tea Party

After participating in exercises while comfortably sitting in a chair, our members enjoy some social time over tea and cookies.

A core member sits using a paintbrush to spread pink paint across a white canvas. Someone else holds up a plate of paint in the foreground.

Visual Arts

Led by a long-time friend and artist, Debbie sets out a theme each week and supports each artist in their creative journey.

A group of core members and assistants sit around a grey table discussing topics while two people are writing.

Speaking Group/Words to Open Up

Each week, the group is presented a discussion theme and participants are guided through conversation either speaking verbally or with adapted communication. Every person has a voice and this discussion group helps reveal it.

A core member wearing a black sweater holds up his hand cheerfully while playing Bingo.

Bingo/Pet Sitting (alternates each week)

Bingo: Using cards with good colour and number visuals, participants are encouraged and supported in finding the letters/numbers that are called until they get a BINGO!

Pet sitting: With the goal of creating a Social Enterprise – 4 Paws Society – in 2025, participants are in the midst of completing their first pet sitting course to build their skills with the guidance of a certified dog trainer.

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

Social Club

This program offers a variety of fun activities including: museum visits, volunteering in the community, bowling, farm visits among many others.

A core member is dancing with one arm raised in the air, smiling. He is wearing a grey sweater and navy blue pants.

Recreational Dance and Music Workshop

This program creates a fun environment that encourages emotion literacy through movement and music. Shake a leg, jam out to your favourite song, play a guitar solo or just have a little chat!

A core member sits cross legged on the floor with pink and red drums placed around him while he holds up a drumstick.

Music Class

Lead by music teacher Rory, participants can learn a new instrument, how to follow rhythm while taking turns and supporting each other. Each week, he records their solos and creates a cool remix.

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

Drumming

The goal of drumming is to provide a welcoming and inclusive space for people to express themselves freely and creatively. The activity encourages collaboration as we build rhythms together using hand drums and percussion instruments.

Gong Meditation

A gong bath can offer many benefits, such as relieving tension and stress. This is coupled with some meditation encouraging the participants to relax, breathe, and be aware of their body and how they are feeling in the moment.

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

Culinary Arts/Baking

Participants get to learn basic baking recipes such as cookies, muffins, pizzas and doughs. This is a great hands-on learning experience!

Hip-Hop

Participants are learning stretches and the fundamentals of Hip Hop, getting into their own individual groove while having fun boogie-ing all together!

Our Activities