We believe that people with Intellectual disabilities have much to teach us and contribute to the world. During the last fifty years, 43 years in Ireland, we have learnt that one of the best ways to enable this is by creating Communities with a culture of shared lives between people with and without Intellectual disabilities, from which we can work together to build a more human society.
At L’Arche we celebrate people with Intellectual disabilities and build circles of support around them. The focus on building relationships and cultivating a sense of belonging is important to us and enhances all our lives. Our life together is very much like any other family. Everyone contributes in their own way, working together as a whole. With so many different personalities coming together from such different backgrounds, this goal of working together cooperatively takes a lot of work! Yet we know that the work is worth it when the outcome is a home and community that is based on love and respect for each individual.
We provide both residential support and day programmes. We strive to provide each member with a quality of life that enables each to achieve their full potential. As advocates, we are committed to highlighting the role and value of people who have ID in society. We work closely with the HSE, HIQA, Charity regulator authority (CRA), housing agency, and others to provide high quality support.