The L’Arche Regional Retreat at the Marillac Spiritual Center
Belonging is a journey we take together.
Two of our assistants, Audrey and Alejandra, recently represented L’Arche Atlanta at a regional retreat in Kansas. The four-day event centered on the theme of "Co-Creating Belonging," bringing together members with and without I/DD from Atlanta, Frederick, Chicago, and Clinton. As a group, they explored what it means to build a truly inclusive world.
I asked Audrey a series of questions about their trip to which she provided the following reflections!
Q: How did it feel to be surrounded by L’Arche members from different regions? Did you notice any "universal" L’Arche traits?
Audrey: It was truly wonderful. We had eleven participants from across the region. From our very first interaction at the airport, we felt like one big family. While our locations are different, our stories are so similar!
I noticed several "universal" traits that bind all L’Arche communities together:
Audrey: I was inspired by a participant who shared her identity journey. She felt that before L’Arche, she was constantly searching for herself; but once she joined, the environment allowed her to be herself without fear of judgment. She shared how simple interactions around the dinner table helped her to recognize her own worth. The turning point for her was being able to share her gratitude every single day. It challenged me because it made me realize that L’Arche doesn’t just transform the lives of core members—it transforms the staff, too.
Q: What was your favorite meal or activity from the retreat?
Audrey: The food was GOOD and the activities were creative. But my favorite activity was a "fill-in-the-blank" poem we wrote about belonging- what is looks like, feels like etc...Hearing everyone read their poems was beautiful. It was a powerful reminder that while our experiences are different, we are all human beings who share the same fundamental desire: To Belong.
I asked Audrey a series of questions about their trip to which she provided the following reflections!
Q: How did it feel to be surrounded by L’Arche members from different regions? Did you notice any "universal" L’Arche traits?
Audrey: It was truly wonderful. We had eleven participants from across the region. From our very first interaction at the airport, we felt like one big family. While our locations are different, our stories are so similar!
I noticed several "universal" traits that bind all L’Arche communities together:
- Equality: We all live as equals.
- Friendship: We focus on bringing out the best in one another.
- Celebration: Whether it’s a birthday, a community gathering, or a farewell, we celebrate life together.
- Diversity: L’Arche welcomes people of all faiths, which was so evident in our group.
- Belonging: The core focus that ties everything else together.
Audrey: I was inspired by a participant who shared her identity journey. She felt that before L’Arche, she was constantly searching for herself; but once she joined, the environment allowed her to be herself without fear of judgment. She shared how simple interactions around the dinner table helped her to recognize her own worth. The turning point for her was being able to share her gratitude every single day. It challenged me because it made me realize that L’Arche doesn’t just transform the lives of core members—it transforms the staff, too.
Q: What was your favorite meal or activity from the retreat?
Audrey: The food was GOOD and the activities were creative. But my favorite activity was a "fill-in-the-blank" poem we wrote about belonging- what is looks like, feels like etc...Hearing everyone read their poems was beautiful. It was a powerful reminder that while our experiences are different, we are all human beings who share the same fundamental desire: To Belong.
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