The story of L'Arche begins in 1964.
Canadian philosopher Jean Vanier (vahn-'yai), with the support of
his spiritual director Father Thomas Philippe, invited two men with
developmental disabilities to live with him in a small house in the
French village of Trosley-Breuil. He named their house L'Arche (lärsh)
after Noah's Ark. Gradually, Vanier welcomed more men and woman with
developmental disabilities and brought in assistants to live and work
with them.
Since then, L'Arche has grown into an
international federation of 135 faith-based communities
in more than 30 countries on 6 continents.
L'Arche international priorities include:
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Enhancing the quality of life of people with disabilities
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Attracting and sustaining assistants
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Good stewardship
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Increasing L'Arche's openness to the wider community
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Solidarity among L'Arche communities
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