L ARCHE C OMOX V ALLEY N EWS

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1 L ARCHE C OMOX V ALLEY N EWS A life together that s unique! December 2012 M r Cis ma t y n y le e r u a L Ar C m V Dear Friends Jean Vanier s legacy as the founder of the International Federation of L Arche communities across the globe can be encapsulated in three simple sentences: Each of us is unique. Each of us has a gift to share. Each of us is a gift to other people. L'ARCHE COMOX V ALLEY 1736 England Avenue Courtenay, BC, V9N 2P6 Phone : Fax : ;; office@larchecomoxvalley.org Charity Number RR0001 As I look back on this year in l Arche Comox Valley, I delight in all the ways we have grown and furthered the mission of L`Arche. It has been a year of renewal, of loss but also of new beginnings. We developed a new community mandate and I have been called by our community and Board to continue to lead the community over the next 4 years. We also have become a confirmed member of L`Arche International, moved our Outreach Centre to a larger and more central location in downtown Courtenay, welcomed new assistants, members, people with diverse abilities and are making progress on our exciting project to build our own Outreach/Community Centre with residential units to serve L Arche members. I have experienced Grace in our community this year where we have boldly said yes to this Mission and our trust that God is leading us in the many possibilities for new life. You, our friends, have been a big part of that possibility. You have prayed for us. You have come to our various events. You have called to check on us in the midst of change. You have donated your time and your financial support. I can t thank you enough for all the ways you have supported l Arche Comox Valley this year. As our friends you belong to our community. You have engaged and connected with us and we are grateful. Do continue to join us in the mission of l Arche. May you be blessed with light and joy this Christmas season. Christine Monier, Community Leader L Arche Comox Valley Mandate June 2012 June 2016 We are where God wants us to be. We are a living, loving Community faithful to and supportive of each other. We believe that every individual life has value and we strive to bring forth and share that gift. We need courage to hear, see, be open and respond to God s call for our Community. Today we continue our journey to fulfill our hopes and dreams. (excerpt from our new community Mandate).

2 Meet the faces of l Arche: members, volunteers, friends Jubilee House members L Arche is made up of: Members: who come from all over the world, all walks of life, all ages, to share their lives by creating home, friendships, building a community where mutuality between individuals with diverse abilities is fostered. OUR VISION: We see a world where everyone has a place of true belonging and a contribution to make, especially those who seem to be weaker and more vulnerable. We are all -each one of us --on a journey to become more fully human. OUR MISSION: Is to honour, protect, and empower people who have an intellectual disability through creating homes, programs and communities of love and friendship. Core People : Adults with developmental disabilities living at Jubilee house, or in their own place, and/or participating in various programs through our Outreach Centre. Volunteers: are critical to our community. They help in various areas: Board, maintenance, recreation, communications, special events, and many act as special friends to members. Donors: invest in the work and vision of l Arche Comox Valley. With a spirit of generosity, trust and confidence, new and loyal donors are making a concrete difference to the lives at l Arche Comox Valley and the quality of our society. OUR VALUES : COMMUNITY: A place of belonging where each person can find his or her true identity COMPASSION: Standing with one another in pain and suffering with love, respect and forgiveness TRANSFORMATION: New life, personal growth and change are desirable and possible for each person. SERVICE: We serve each other; every person has a gift to give to others. FAITH: Every person is on a spiritual journey. We are brought together in community by a loving God. JUSTICE: We stand for fairness, and equality of people who are in the margins of society. In my first moments at L Arche all I could see were the differences. And as I stood there worrying and fretting over whether or not I would be able to be myself, to relate with others, a person with a disability spontaneously came up and hugged me. I knew then that this could be a place for me L Arche volunteer

3 For the last seven months L'Arche Comox Valley has held a Monday lunchtime seniors' program from 11-2pm, which includes a simple lunch, visiting, conversation and a monthly outing. The program is very popular and meets the needs of older adults both with and without developmental disabilities. 12 participants weekly come together at the Outreach Centre. Community benefit: We started this program to facilitate inclusion of seniors of diverse abilities who are isolated and might want to volunteer and be part of something, but felt unsure of what gifts they had. Belonging and friendship matter to everyone. When we become isolated, we are at risk. When we are part of the fabric of a caring community we are safe and able to develop into the fullness of life. Many of us take this for granted. Through this program we have come to welcome new adults with developmental disabilities, and new senior-volunteers. Approximately 30 individuals have been participating at different times. L ARCHE SENIORS CIRCLE Mount Washington and Kitty Coleman Beach were just a few of the Seniors outings greatly appreciated by all. THANK-YOU FOR CONSIDERING L ARCHE COMOX VALLEY IN YOUR CHRISTMAS GIVING THIS YEAR: Planned or monthly giving are excellent ways to help us build a CARING AND COMPASSIONATE SOCIETY. DID YOU KNOW that anytime someone sets up a recurring donation through their Visa using CanadaHelps.org (the website that processes online donations for us) the credit card company kicks in $10 as a one-time contribution to us. Please consider giving in this way Thank-you to our many supporters: Our local churches: St Peter s Anglican, St George s United, Christ the King, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Church of Our Lord, and Comox United. Other groups: Investors Group, RBC Dominion Securities,BC Gaming, Coastal Community Credit Union, Coldwell Banker, L Arche Canada Foundation, Catholic Foundation of Vancouver Island, Catholic Women s League, Knights of Columbus-Courtenay and Parksville, Ladies Auxiliary of the Canadian Legion, and Home Depot. AND to all who have attended our MANY FUNDRAISING EVENTS : our Pig Roast in Sept, Dinner Dance in Nov...YOUR ON GOING SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. Our next event will be Sunday afternoon Feb. 10th a Valentine s Tea, music by the band Inclusion and delicious desserts. Location : new Christ the King Parish Hall.

4 L Arche Outreach and Creative Art Centre : Our new address is 1001B Fitzgerald Ave. ( ) WAYS TO BECOME INVOLVED IN L'ARCHE COMOX VALLEY A hn la.a h w n m... Art show at Zocalo s Over the past few months the Outreach Centre has had some wonderful opportunities to showcase the art which L'Arche artists create. This has allowed us to become more well known in the Comox Valley and demonstrates the unique and powerful gifts of people with developmental disabilities. 5 paintings were sent to L'Arche Winnipeg for their art show this Fall. 3 of the pieces were sold. Paintings by 10 L'Arche artists were on display at the CLBC offices all summer. CLBC provides funding for Jubilee House and some of our L'Arche day supports. They were pleased to brighten up their walls with our art. During October, Fall and Halloween art was on display at the Zocalo Cafe. L'Arche members from across the region were able to see this when they were here in October. They were impressed with the quality of work and the great outreach this provided. Students from Grade 5 and 6 at Airport Elementary School in Comox made a field trip to the cafe to see the art and learn about the work of L'Arche. Come to a Community Evening 1st Tuesday of the month-potluck dinner 5pm at St Peter s Comox, Come to a Prayer Night, all other Tuesday evenings 5pm at Jubilee House th St. Courtenay. Volunteer to work on a L'Arche Committee: Communications-House and Garden, Fundraising, Finance, Special Events. Assist with ongoing financial support for the special programs of L'Arche. Many thanks, if you have already donated -- and please continue to keep L'Arche Comox Valley on your list of worthy charities to support. Donate goods or services; Learn more by reading books on Jean Vanier and L'Arche...available at the Outreach Centre. Visit: www,larche,org, Visit us on Facebook Add your address to, our Friends of L'Arche list to receive our monthly calendar.send your request to: office@larchecomoxvalley.org The Gatehouse Bistro at rd St. in Cumberland has displayed L'Arche art for many months. Currently Christmas themed art is on display there. Affordable Custom Picture Framing, 1985 Cliffe Ave. has again recently donated framing for 4 more paintings for our collection of art. This Christmas we invite you to consider giving a L'Arche gift card in place of a gift to a friend or loved one. Make a donation of $20 or more to L'Arche Comox Valley. Choose one of our beautiful hand made cards that says that you have made a donation to L'Arche this year in their name. Call Claire or drop by the Outreach Centre for more information or to choose a card and make your donation. Community Wish List: For Jubilee House ( ) a new computer, an armoire or tall cupboard for storage, a volunteer to help with odd handyman jobs. For the Outreach Centre: a full-sized fridge. For the Supported Living service: a small used car. THANKS to all who donate old candles and jewelry. They are much appreciated!

5 If you would like to make a donation, please return this coupon to our office :1736 England Ave. Courtenay, B.C. V9N 2P6. You can also donate online through THANK-YOU for your support! My 2012 Christmas gift to L Arche Comox Valley! CONTACT MR. MRS. MS MISS NAME >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ADDRESS CITY POSTAL CODE PROVINCE Here is my gift of: $30 $50 $100 other Or monthly gift of: $20 $50 other Payment method Visa MasterCard Cheque ( For single gifts,please make cheque payable to L Arche Comox Valley) For monthly gifts, please send us a void cheque or fill in your For monthly gifts, please provide credit card information credit card information. You can adjust or cancel your monthly below. You can adjust or cancel your monthly gift anytime. gift anytime. Tax receipts will be issued in early 2013 for all donations over $20. Registered Charity Number RR0001 Name on card Card No: / / / Expiry date: / Signature: If you would like to make a donation, please return this coupon to our office :1736 England Ave. Courtenay, B.C. V9N 2P6. You can also donate online through THANK-YOU for your support! My 2012 Christmas gift to L Arche Comox Valley! CONTACT MR. MRS. MS MISS NAME >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ADDRESS CITY POSTAL CODE PROVINCE Tax receipts will be issued in early 2013 for donations over $20. Registered Charity Number RR0001 Here is my gift of: $30 $50 $100 other Or monthly gift of: $20 $50 other Payment method Visa MasterCard Cheque (For single gifts, please make cheque payable to L Arche Comox Valley) For monthly gifts, please send us a void cheque or fill in your credit card information. You can also donate at canadahelps.org You can adjust or cancel your monthly Name on card Card No: / / / Expiry date: / Signature: