In March, L’Arche Carrefour, in Haiti, celebrated the opening of their new home. The solid, but temporary, structure is only the first phase in the project of rebuilding and re-envisioning L’Arche in Haiti. Many people across Canada made donations to support L’Arche Haiti following the earthquake that rocked the country in 2010. L’Arche Canada’s ongoing solidarity efforts with L’Arche in Haiti involve leadership support, visits to Haiti, and training and formation for members.

L’Arche Canada launches an innovative bilingual online resource with stories, audio, games, and videos aimed at providing young people with intellectual disabilities information that could help them form lasting friendships. The site also provides extensive information and resources for families and educators of young people with intellectual disabilities who wish to help their young adult on their journey. The Community Forum is a place where families, educators, and service providers can discuss challenges, share stories, and suggest best practices.

iBelong! truly has a lot to offer, but don’t take our word for it! Check it out yourself at: http://www.ibelong.ca.

L’Arche Canada is launching a Leadership Development Program to create a new “end to end” strategy and roadmap for leadership development that will substantially improve L’Arche’s ability to attract, develop and retain leaders. We hope that this strategy will meet L’Arche Canada’s needs going forward but also be a model for L’Arche around the world. Phase One, the planning phase, is expected to be completed by January 2012.

In November 2011 the L’Arche Canada Foundation launched a new website. With the Executive Director’s blog, links to publications, testimonials, videos, and discussion of our goals and achievements, this site is a great way for people to stay connected with the Foundation and its work.

In October, L’Arche Lethbridge announced its purchase of a new home for people with a disability. The building will contain an additional two respite apartments. L’Arche London has also purchased a parcel of land which will be developed into a centre of creativity and welcome.

A new website has been launched focusing on the person and work of Jean Vanier. With reflections on his life, work, philosophy and message, this website provides in-depth insight into the man whose wonderful compassion and vision were the seed from which L’Arche grew.

To learn more, visit: http://www.jean-vanier.org/info/en/

Honourable David Only, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, welcomed delegates from all L’Arche communities in Ontario to an art exhibit featuring more than 50 works by L’Arche members throughout Ontario. The exhibit simultaneously pays tribute to Jean Vanier and the vision and mission on which L’Arche is founded. Art has long been a way for people with a disability in L’Arche to discover and express themselves, while also connecting with others in L’Arche and the wider community. The art exhibit was on display for 6 months in the Lieutenant Governor’s Suite.

To see a slideshow of the work featured in the exhibition, visit: http://larcheontario.org/art-show/explore-the-artwork/

Many people in Canada are entering a stage of their lives in which they are experiencing a loss of abilities and an increase in their vulnerability. In response to this growing trend L’Arche Canada created the Aging and Disability website, which offers wisdom and practical tools to face the challenge of aging with grace and dignity to family members, friends, caregivers, health practitioners of those with a disability. Themes explored on Aging and Disability include Healthy Aging; Changing Needs; Complex-Palliative Care; Ending Life Well; and Grieving.

Visit the Aging and Disability website at: http://www.aging-and-disability.org/en/home

L’Arche Antigonish officially opened two new homes in Antigonish this summer welcoming eight people with disabilities, all of whom will have their own private bedrooms.The province of Nova Scotia invested significantly in this project. “It’s very exciting to be part of a project that you know changes people’s lives, said Mrs. Peterson-Rafuse, Minister of Community Services, adding that the celebration wasn’t just for a new “structure,” but a real “home.