mission & identity
After a three year process of prayer, reflection and dialogue, the Federation of L’Arche discerned and created the International Mission and Identity Statement. Over three years we named our gifts, our shadows, and the call that emerges from the gap between them.
The Mission and Identity statement reflects the unity of experience and aspirations of communities from many different cultures. It helps us identify the calls for L’Arche today as we seek to name the gifts of our people, engage our various cultures, foster our values, and to link with others as we strive to change our own hearts by entering into honest, committed, and engaged mutual relationships.
Statement of Identity
We are people, with and without developmental disabilities, sharing life in communities belonging to an International Federation. Mutual relationships and trust in God are at the heart of our journey together. We celebrate the unique value of every person and recognize our need of one another.
L'Arche Mission
Our Mission is to:
- Make known the gifts of people with developmental disabilities, revealed through mutually transforming relationships;
- Foster an environment in community that responds to the changing needs of our members, while being faithful to the core values of our founding story; and
- Engage in our diverse cultures, working together toward a more human society.
