Friends of Larche Atlanta

During the year ended February 29, 2024, FOLA operated the following programs:(i) LArche Home in the Oakhurst neighborhood of Decatur:LArche Atlantas first home, opened in 2012, has a double identity: first and foremost, the members of the home are simply human beings sharing life together, with and without disabilities, building community together. The homes second identity is that of a professional provider of residential services for adults with developmental disabilities. As such, the home is a licensed Community Residential Alternative with the State of Georgias Department of Developmental Disabilities, and this partnership provides for around 28% of the homes funding through available public funding.(ii) LArche opens second home on Clairemont Ave in Decatur:LArches long planned for 2nd home opened in June of 2022, on Clairemont Ave in Decatur near the Woodlands Garden. Like the home in the Oakhurst neighborhood, the Clairemont home members share life together in the community. Also, like the Mead home, Clairemonts second identity is that of a professional provider of residential services for adults with developmental disabilities. As such, the home is a licensed Community Residential Alternative with the State of Georgias Department of Developmental Disabilities, and this partnership provides for around 33% of the homes funding through available public funding.(iii) Outreach - Building Community through Social Events:Since January 2010, initially in partnership with several local faith communities, and now through a variety of community partnerships, FOLA has been hosting social events for people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through our in-person and virtual gatherings, we bring the celebration, spirituality, and connection found in the LArche home into the broader community.At Community Events, people with and without disabilities come together in a place of belonging and welcome. These are monthly events, such as an Open Mic Night, Painting in the Park, or a holiday party. The purpose of the evenings is to come together to have fun, to celebrate the unique value of each person, and build relationships of friendship and support.At CONNEXIONS meet-ups, smaller groups of people with and without disabilities meet consistently around shared interests. In 2023, LArche hosted trivia, writing, and faith/prayer CONNEXIONS groups.In 2023, over 695 people joined LArche for virtual and in-person events. LArche connected with over 100 people with disabilities (54 people joined us three or more times). LArche hosted 95 virtual CONNEXIONS meet-ups.(iv) Outreach Through Announcing the Gifts of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities:Part of the LArche mission involves sharing the gifts that adults with intellectual disabilities bring to our societies, thereby inviting people to places of inclusion and mutual relationships within their own communities. With the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, we continue the Storytelling Advocacy Project. The goal of the project is to educate and influence legislators around issues that affect Georgians with disabilities through their stories.LArche in the World:LArche began in a small town in France in 1964. Three mentwo with developmental disabilities and one withoutcalled the home LArche (pronounced larsh), which is the French word for The Ark. The men developed a profound friendship and sense of community. Inspired by the beauty of this simple life together, others have gone on to begin LArche communities throughout the world.The International Federation of LArche now encompasses 150+ member communities established as independent entities in 38 countries, on 6 continents. LArche creates community for people of all abilities, placing mutual relationships at the heart of the journey together. LArches primary means of doing so is through homes where people with and without developmental disabilities share life together and create relationships with the larger community.