Celebrating Our Gifts
“The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with joy.”
- Henri J. M. Nouwen
Dear friends,
Thank you for being partners of L’Arche St. Louis! We have been blessed abundantly, most especially by personal relationships with people like you who are building connections with us in so many ways. We are grateful for you!
Everything we do at L’Arche St. Louis is about bettering the lives and perceptions of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Through relationships of mutuality and respect, we call attention to the gifts and contributions that people with I/DD share with the world. While it is common for children with disabilities to have access to integrated daycares and schools, opportunities for meaningful work and inclusion are scarce once they reach adulthood. Adults with I/DD are faced with enormous challenges in acquiring necessities like medical care and housing that you and I may take for granted. The barriers to developing a network of friends, relationships of respect, and true inclusion in broader society are even greater. Too often, people with I/DD remain isolated.
Allison, Bridget, and Kristin enjoying time together at the park during Family Support
At L’Arche St. Louis, our lifelong homes respond to the need for affordable, accessible housing and exceptional holistic support for people with complex needs. We know that when people are provided the care they deserve they can participate in a fulfilling life. Through our Family Support Program, Community Nights, and outreach events, we have built a circle of friends around our homes. We live out of a spirit of gratitude for each person’s gifts which permeates all that we do. For those with differing abilities (all of us!), this welcoming spirit is palpable when you gather with the people of L’Arche St. Louis.
It is our tradition to honor the anniversary of each community member’s initial “Yes” to L’Arche St. Louis. It’s a day that we celebrate because the gift of each person has made an impact on all of us. Each year, our lives are enriched because we know them. We celebrate Core Members’ anniversaries at Community Night, with their housemates, family, and friends old and new gathered around them. We take turns sharing what we appreciate about them, and we name their gifts. So often people with I/DD are seen as recipients, not contributors. They are defined by deficits, not talents. Too many of our Core Members did not feel welcome at school when they were young or in society as adults. When we devote space to one person during Community Night, taking time to tell them what we see and enjoy about them, and sing a blessing song, it is a significant moment of encouragement and hope for everyone in the room.
Whether it’s a special anniversary or every other ordinary day, our Assistants express to our Core Members that they matter. Assistants consistently give undivided attention to the Core Members’ most critical needs, often in very vulnerable moments. We offer a comprehensive and personal approach to medical, psychological, and emotional care. The people we serve, our “Core Members,” are at the heart of our community. They have agency, choice, and a sense of belonging to something bigger than themselves. Isn’t this what you and I also want?
Recently, Mary Ellen threw a party for Veronica, an Assistant who has been sharing life with her for over six years and recently attained a Master’s degree. Mary Ellen started planning months in advance. She created the guest list and sent invitations to many people, including former housemates with whom she maintains a friendship. She planned out her vision (a tropical bash!) and assigned her “committee” to specific food and décor items that would bring it all to life. Through her love and appreciation for Veronica – and her knack for throwing parties – Mary Ellen created this special moment, bringing together a diverse group of friends who wouldn’t have otherwise gathered.
Edward (“Coach”) pressures Jeff to make his shot!
Earlier this year, Edward took the initiative to host a March Madness basketball tournament. He brought together Core Members, Assistants, volunteers, and university students for a thrilling and often entertaining competition. There was even a cheering section and a referee with a whistle! Edward says often that, “L’Arche is like a family,” and we are grateful for his leadership gifts that bring us together.
At L’Arche St. Louis we provide the context for people to thrive. Our community is built around Edward, Mary Ellen, and all our Core Members who define the goals and dictate their daily activities. We provide the support and resources they need to succeed. When we follow our Core Members’ lead, we all win. We are brought together to celebrate, affirm, receive others’ gifts, and share our own.
At the same time, you provide the context for L’Arche St. Louis to thrive. We need your partnership now more than ever as we maintain our commitment to increasingly complex support for our Core Members as they age. This takes exceptional diligence, skill, and care. We cannot do this without you.
In this season of gratitude and giving, you can make our city a kinder and more welcoming place. Make a year-end financial gift to L’Arche St. Louis. Your gift is an affirmation of the dignity of each person with a disability and a validation of their place in society.
Our end-of-year goal is $150,000.
Please help us reach this goal and join our spirit of welcome and celebration by making a financial investment
in L’Arche St. Louis today.
Thank you for your generosity!
Gratefully,
Paula Kilcoyne
Executive Director and Community Leader
P.S. Please use the button above to send your support. You can also donate by mailing a check to 9445 Litzsinger Rd, Brentwood, MO 63144, or call us to talk about how you would like to support L’Arche financially.
Check out the video from Christmas-time in 2017 when we were featured on “The Thread!”
