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L'Arche Antigonish
4 West St. Antigonish, N.S.
Canada B2G 1R8
Tel (902) 863-5000
Fax (902) 863-8224
info@larcheantigonish.org
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Our Community
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L'Arche is an international federation of communities founded by Jean Vanier where men and women with developmental disabilities, and those who choose to share life with them, live and work together. We seek to create homes and provide meaningful work for all our community members in an attempt to create a world where everyone, regardless of ability or disability, is recognized as being of equal value.
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L'Arche, a Community of Welcome
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In 1964, Canadian Jean Vanier invited two men with developmental disabilities to live with him in an old home in the French village of Trosley-Breuil.
He named the house L'Arche (which is French for ark) after Noah's ark and gradually welcomed not only more men and women with developmental disabilities but also the assistants who would live and work with them. Since then L'Arche has grown into an international federation of more than 135 communities in 34 countries.
We seek to be communities where people whatever their race, religion, culture, abilities or disabilities can find a place and reveal their gifts to the world. - Jean Vanier
To learn more about L'Arche please see 'Related Links'.
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About L'Arche Antigonish
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Situated in the small university town of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, L'Arche Antigonish has been operating since 1979. Today, our community is home to 13 people with developmental disabilities, living in 3 homes and 1 apartment. Our homes, day programs and summer camp offer a variety of learning experiences and foster a spirit of cooperation and a discovery of each others uniqueness.
As an interfaith, ecumenical community, we welcome people of all religious backgrounds and those with no religious traditions. Our focus is centered on the gifts and needs of women and men who live with a developmental disability. Our community of L'Arche invites each of us through daily living and relationships, to grow in a greater appreciation of ourselves and one another.
Our homes and programs are integrated within the picturesque town of Antigonish, located on the eastern part of Nova Scotia. This region bordering the Northumberland Strait is surrounded by sandy beaches, rolling hills and forests. Antigonish is also home to St. Francis Xavier University. This well known school offering academic excellence has its founding roots and values in social service and outreach to the local citizenry.
Student volunteers are a unique and integral aspect of L'Arche Antigonish. Their friendship with L'Arche has allowed us to experience a greater sense of belonging through participation in the various cultural and recreational activities in the area.
As a non-profit organization, L'Arche Antigonish is managed by a local Board of Directors and works collaboratively with the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services in developing programs for persons with developmental disabilities.
The L'Arche Antigonish Foundation was incorporated as a nonprofit society to respond to the funding needs not covered by the Department of Community Services.
These "Friends of L'Arche" help the local L'Arche community participate in the regional and federation activities of L'Arche and to share the story and mission through various fundraising initiatives.
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