Laughter resonated through the corridors of L鈥橝rche鈥檚 I Belong Centre on Wednesday (June 12) as the non-profit hosted an open house, welcoming visitors to tour the facility.

Located at 1465 Grieve Ave. in Courtenay, the service hub offered participants the chance to participate in an art workshop and learn about the organization鈥檚 programs and upcoming activities.

L鈥橝rche Comox Valley volunteer and activity co-ordinator, Herv茅 Monier, stated that the primary goal of the open house was to raise awareness about the non-profit鈥檚 mission and attract more people to get involved.

鈥淲e're doing this open house so people can come in and get to know who we are and see what we do,鈥� said Monier. 鈥淭he first year we did it, we had people coming from the neighbourhood and saying 鈥極h, we didn't know this existed.鈥欌��

L'Arche is an international federation working to create networks of community where people with and without intellectual disabilities live and work together.

Founded in France in 1964, the organization emerged as a community-based alternative to the ill-treatment of individuals in psychiatric institutions during the '60s.

The story of L鈥橝rche in the Comox Valley began over 30 years ago with Lock and Joanne Mawhinney and was registered as a non-profit society in 1993. 

Now, the organization provides housing with partial or full support to 10 tenants in its two facilities: the Jubilee House and the I Belong Centre.

Randy, a resident at the I Belong Centre, considers himself lucky to be part of this community. 

鈥淚 can come and go and then cook. I go make breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks and then I鈥檓 off to work,鈥� said Randy. 鈥淚 also have days off and then go downstairs, hang out.鈥�

Currently, L'Arche is amid a fundraiser for their next housing project, The Anchorage, which aims to provide housing for a dozen more residents in the following years. 

As Monier noted, a big part of L鈥橝rche鈥檚 ethos is based on the concept of inclusion and mutual respect. 

鈥淲e have many volunteers helping out and the centre is open to anyone who wants to participate in the activities,鈥� added Monier. 鈥淲e want people to be together no matter if they have a disability or not.鈥�

To volunteer at L'Arche, attend workshops, to learn more about their programs, or consult the activity schedule, visit or contact Herv茅 Monier at herve@larchecomoxvalley.org.

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