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L'Arche in the spotlight
March 21, 2010
We Are Family: Celebrating 25 Years of L’Arche Harbor House
The year 2010 will be a time of reflection, prayer and celebration for the extended L’Arche Harbor House family. It will also be a year to look to the future. “We are so grateful for the many blessings that made our first 25 years possible,” says Community Leader Amy Finn-Schultz. “Building a community like this is very hard work. We’re reminded of that as we watch L’Arche projects in Atlanta and St. Louis struggle to find their footing. On the other hand, keeping it all going is a challenge, too. This is particularly true given the economic downturn – and the increased health issues of our core members as they age. In many ways, our supporters matter more now than ever before.”
Community Coordinator Sharon Toth concurs: “Just like any family, the longer we know our core members, the more precious they are to us,” she says. “We have to make sure that we can meet their needs for life. That’s what makes the 25th Anniversary so much more than just a pat on the back for work to date. It’s really about what happens next.”
Anniversary-year events and an initiative to rally supporters past, present and future will be organized around the theme We Are Family. “We think of ourselves as family on so many levels,” explains Board President Cheryl O’Connor. “Obviously, the core members and assistants are family. But we never forget the dreamers and doers who started this amazing place; the family members who trust us with their loved ones; and the many, many friends, volunteers and contributors who help keep it all going. They are family, too, and the core members are very much aware of their loving support. We wanted to capture all this in a slogan that emphasizes the connections.
Look forward to a variety of events and initiatives during our anniversary year, including:
- a community spiritual retreat in the spring
- a gala homecoming for LHH friends, past and present, Friday, November 12, on the grounds at L’Arche Harbor House. During this We Are Family 25th Reunion event, the community will honor our founders and celebrate our core members, including two (Ann and Joy) who have been in residence from the very beginning.
- the launch of a We Are Family Fund that will link friends of the community to areas of special interest to them – and help grow our critical support network