L'Arche Cleveland

L'arche Cleveland operates five (5) homes in which fourteen (14) core members (persons with developmental disabilities who are at the "core" of the l'arche mission)live and share their lives with assistants and volunteers. L'arche celebrates the unique value of every person and recognizes the community's need for one-another. L'arche is a french word for 'ark' - our philosophy is one of shared humanity. Locally, the l'arche leadership team is made up of the ceo, assistant program director as well as house leaders and staff.

All of the l'arche homes have on-site assistants 24/7. Some of the assistants live on-site while others live off-site. Assistants support core members in their daily activities when help or guidance is required. The l'arche practice is to do with rather than do for. These activities include such things as: meal preparation, attending appointments, outings, church and recreational activities; home care, cleaning, and medication administration, physical care; and skill development. Some core member's daily activities include employment programs. Individual service plans exist for each core member.

All of the core members are in the cuyahoga county board of developmental disabilities (board of ccbdd) system. Medicaid individual options waiver eligibility is necessary as the system of support for the core members. L'arche Cleveland is a licensed and accredited medicaid services provider. Two of the homes are licensed by the state through residential facility waiver. Three of the homes are supported living/individual option waiver homes. As with any family, all members are responsible for the group's best well-being. At the heart of the community is the respectful relationship between people who treat each other as equals. Nurturing these relationships allows for personal development and gives people the freedom to be unique whatever their abilities or disabilities. L'arche communities engage in diverse cultures and work together toward a more just, welcoming,and human society. L'arche Cleveland is proud of the community which it has developed and grown for more than forty (40) years.

Each of the l'arche homes are run by house leaders and as many as six (6)assistants. In addition, l'arche has several committees that are tasked with specific duties. The ceo is responsible for the day to day operations of l'arche and the provision of services. L'arche maintains an office with staff in Cleveland where the ceo works - not far from its five homes. There is considerable interaction between the core members, and leadership team within these homes in order to foster the mutually transforming relationships that the gifts of the core members and assistants reveal to one another during daily living. Home life is at the heart of the l'arche community.