The L’Arche Atlanta Community Council (LACC) is a group of Atlanta’s most talented, innovative, and experienced young professionals committed to L’Arche Atlanta’s mission.
The LACC works directly with the staff and board of directors on a variety of strategic projects to create communities where adults with disabilities are loved, ultimately creating a more compassionate and human society.

Members commit to one year of service at a time and serve on at least one sub-committee.
​We will begin taking applications for the 2020 council in October 2019. 

2019 L'Arche Atlanta Community Council

We are grateful to this following people that has committed to a year of service on our inaugural council.
Grayson Campbell
Owner, Nature's Neighbors Cleaning

Kaitlyn DeForest
Autism Support Teacher, Ison Springs Elementary

Patrick Faulhaber
Senior Pastor, North Decatur United Methodist Church

Emily Giese
Corporate Communications Manager, Randstad

Michelle Lee

Kirsti Lewis
Executive Director, People Like Us

Andy Otto
Pastoral Associate, St Thomas More Catholic Parish

Amanda Paparelli
Director of Beverage Quality, Thrive Farmers
Gail Schaffer
Attorney, Lueder, Larkin & Hunter, LLC

Kate Schrum
Director of Development, United Methodist Children's Home

Dialyn Soto
Doctor of Internal Medicine/Geriatrics

Lauren Toledo
Manager, Research Science, ICF

Whitney Tucker-Jenkins
Senior Financial Aid Advisor, Emory University

Becca Van Galder
Community Events Coordinator & House Assistant,
      L'Arche Atlanta

Erin Verner
Speech-Language Pathologist, Genesis Rehab 
Picture
The 2019 LACC: Back row (L to R): Kaitlyn DeForest, Emily Giese, Grayson Campbell, Michelle Lee, Whitney Tucker-Jenkins, Lauren Toledo, Becca Van Galder. Bottom row (L to R): Gail Schaffer, Amanda Paparelli, Erin Verner, Kirsti Lewis. Not Pictured: Patrick Faulhaber, Andy Otto, Kate Schrum, Dialyn Soto

Strategic Projects the Council Supports

The 2019 LACC has chosen the following strategic projects with the ultimate purpose of creating communities where adults with and without disabilities can share life together.
  • Community events & neighborhood engagement
  • Mead Road house volunteer day
  • L'Arche Madness & Giving Tuesday
  • 7th Birthday Benefit & Auction

In addition to these strategic projects, the committee offers their time and resources in a variety of other avenues, such as:
  • Championing L'Arche's mission in the community
  • Seeking new areas for development opportunities
  • Graphic design & editorial skills
  • Foundation grant review


​LACC Member Profile

The L'Arche Atlanta Community Council is a group of talented, diverse adults, between the ages of 25 and 45 who want to become more involved in the work of L'Arche Atlanta and give back to the greater Atlanta community. Our members share a desire to create communities where adults with and without disabilities can experience joy, friendship, and a true sense of belonging.


​Reasons to Join the Community Council

  • Bringing your passion and skills to our community will have an immediate and lasting impact on a young nonprofit as we seek to expand our reach in the metro-Atlanta area.
  • YPB offers an opportunity to advocate for the needs of adults with disabilities -- offering a voice for those who can not easily advocate for themselves.
  • Your connection to the YPB will increase your awareness and understanding of L'Arche and our programs and services, with an easy path to becoming friends with adults with disabilities.
  • Interacting with other young professionals in Atlanta will definitely lead to new friendships and possibly lead to opportunities for growing in your career.


​Join Us in 2020

If you’re interested in joining our 2020 Community Council, please email Megan at megan@larcheatlanta.org.