L'Arche Daybreak

"Our C.S.J. charism is deeply embedded in the L'Arche Charter that says every human person is a child of God and worthy of love and care."

Sister Sue Mosteller CSJ

What it is

Primarily L'Arche is about creating home together with people with disabilities. It is based on the premise that every person brings a gift and every person is vulnerable. Often the vulnerable people offer gifts of the heart to those who may have more skills. Together we live community; celebrating, praying, traveling, welcoming visitors and supporting other communities of L'Arche around the world.

Who it involves

The main people L'Arche addresses are persons with disabilities and those who come to assist them. But the L'Arche community also extends to Board personnel, families, government, volunteers, churches, and other agencies.

Sister Sue Mosteller CSJ has been a member of the community for 30 years, has served as a Director of Daybreak and as the International Co-coordinator of L'Arche. She wrote a book called Body Broken, Body Blessed to describe community life at L'Arche.

History

Jean Vanier founded L'Arche, meaning the ark, in France in 1964. He felt called to respond to the needs of people with disabilities who were not recognized for their gifts and who were often rejected from ordinary life in society by being placed in institutions, hospitals, and nursing homes. Over 120 L'Arche communities exist in more than 25 countries. Steve and Ann Newroth began L'Arche Daybreak in 1969 to answer the same need in Canada.

Contact:

L'Arche Daybreak
11339 Yonge St.
Richmond Hill, ON
L4S 1L1

E-mail: office@larchedaybreak.com
Tel: 905 884 3454

L'Arche Toronto
186 Floyd Ave.
Toronto, ON
M4J 2J1

E-mail: toronto@larchedaybreak.com
Tel: 416-406-2869