L’ARCHE HOMEFIRES
Jean Vanier, L’Arche founder, asks, “Can we reasonably have a dream of a world where people, whatever their race, religion, culture, abilities or disabilities, whatever their education or economic situation, whatever their age or gender, can find a place and reveal their gifts?” With the R. Howard Webster Foundation’s support, L’Arche Homefires built a fully accessible building where it endeavors to embrace this dream. The foundation enabled L’Arche Homefires to open its doors in September 2017, through a grant toward the Building Our Dream campaign and a social impact loan.
The building is a vibrant space where people with and without disabilities come together to weave, make candles, create art, learn, cook, bake, dance, sing, explore spirituality, and celebrate. Located in the downtown core with a small storefront, L’Arche Homefires has discovered new opportunities to welcome friends, guests, volunteers, students, and even therapy dogs! The building contains offices and gathering spaces for regular training sessions and meetings. The organization also rents the space to local groups and is exploring ways to connect with the greater community in service and outreach.
L’Arche Homefires began in Wolfville, a small Nova Scotia university town, in 1981. It is a community of five homes, a workshop, a day program, a retirement program, and independent living opportunities.
L’Arche Homefires belongs to the international L’Arche federation of over 150 communities on all 5 continents. Its mission is to celebrate the value of each person, to build mutual relationships, and to change the world one heart at a time.
To learn more about L’Arche Homefires, please visit: http://larchehomefires.org
L’Arche Homefires’ new accessible building opened its doors in September 2017