L'Arche Greater Washington, DC

Rain only adds to our fun. ☔️ Though we didn't officially swim in Atlantis water park this year, we certainly enjoyed our time picnicking together at Bull Run Regional Park.

ID: Around 20 GWDC community members of all ages gather under a picnic shelter for a group photo amidst the rain.

July has been fly! ☀️

There's no way to capture all the life we've lived this past month in just a few photos, but here's a snapshot 📸

[Image Descriptions] 1. Fritz doing all things Fritz while visiting his sister and brother-in-law. He's smiling, swimming in a blue lake, relaxing in a donut-colored float. 2. Kiana and Debora taking in a Beatles show Wolf Trap. Debora shows off her purple cup, and the sun shines bright behind the pair. 3. Arlington County Virginia – Government board meeting officially conveying the Reeves Farmhouse property to Habitat, kicking off renovations for our new home! A large projector screen above the board members reads, "Item #22 Reeves Farm House." 4. Mary sitting on the floor taking written and pictorial notes on a large piece of paper during an annual Inclusion Training. What do you think of when you hear the word inclusion? 5. Our Community Connections Program is going strong! Lauren and Matthew hold a microphone as they act out "stand-up comedy" together for the rest of the group to guess in charades. Visit larche-gwdc.org/ccp to learn more.

Question: Can we shape a world that welcomes every person as a fully valued and meaningfully contributing member of society?

Answer: Yes, we can!

Let’s grow a more gentle, human world where core members fully participate in society and lead the life they want to live with assistant support.

Can we do this together? Yes, we can!

Give today for What's Next, creating more spaces of belonging for core members and assistants: larche-gwdc.org/whatsnext-donate



ID: Prince is standing behind Francene wearing sunglasses and a fedora beige hat. Francene is seated in her wheelchair holding something. Both are smiling big toward the camera. Green shrubs are in the background, overlayed with multicolored polka dots encircling them. L'Arche GWDC's "What's Next" logo is in the top left corner.

It’s a big week for What’s Next! Yesterday, voted YES to the Reeves Farmland property conveyance!

Now that it’s official, renovations can begin. We are so excited and so grateful for all the work Arlington County and our partners have put into this project already.

Learn more at larche-gwdc.org/whatsnext • link in bio

Celebrate with us! We are already 64% of the way toward our $2M goal!

Thanks to many friends and the generosity of our project partners, soon we will gain a new home and a wonderful gathering place where we can serve more core members. Plus, we can offer equitable, meaningful pay and benefits to our assistants.

Will you help us raise the remaining 36% for What’s Next?

Give today: larche-gwdc.org/whatsnext-donate

Gotta beat the heat with some🍦

ID: Kelly and Hazel sit together in an ice cream store, talking and smiling. Hazel holds out her cake cone in one hand.

CCP IS TODAY! Saturday, June 22
Take a break from the heat and join us from 2-4pm at Clarendon United Methodist in Arlington.

All our welcome ✦ Family-friendly

Michael led us on a beautiful reflection about music last month and Isaac helped us co-create our CCP song!

What will this month bring?!? 🤔🥰🤩 See you soon!

larche-gwdc.org/ccp

ID: [1] Michael, left, and Isaac, right stand next to each other and smile at the camera. Michael is wearing a baseball cap and blue hood and Isaac has one hand over Michael's shoulder and the other pointing in his direction. [2] Michael and Sito are seated in front of a projector screen that shows questions reflecting on music. [3] Michael walks the room, facilitating reflection, as others are seated at tables with papers, markers, and photos in front of them. [4] A dark blue background has orange and white text that reads: "L'Arche GWDC's Community Connections Program. A monthly gathering designed by and for people with and without intellectual disabilities. Learn more at: larche-gwdc.org/ccp or call (202) 232-4539." A blue-ish/purple hand and a light blue hand are holding each other connected.

We’re dreaming of a more gentle, human world…

And now that dream is becoming a reality!

As L’Arche GWDC celebrates its 40th anniversary year, our What’s Next capital campaign makes a new L’Arche home and an assistant compensation fund a reality.

Become a part of this world. Give today!

larche-gwdc.org/whatsnext-donate



ID: [1] A photo of the historic Reeves Farmhouse is encircled by transparent white dots. The "what's next" logo is at the bottom over a navy blue block of color. [2] Fritz and Sarah smile big, sitting on the Farmhouse porch holding a large blue key with L'Arche GWDC's logo on it.

We're a new Director of Human Services and Advocacy. Go to larche-gwdc.org/jobs to learn more and share with your networks!

3 Ways YOU Can Be Part of What’s Next:
#1 Visit our hub! ✦ larche-gwdc.org/whatsnext
#2 Boost our posts by liking, commenting, & sharing!
#3 Donate for What’s Next! ✦ larche-gwdc.org/whatsnext-donate

What’s Next is our 40th anniversary campaign to grow more spaces of belonging by adding a new home and creating an assistant pay and benefits fund.

We cannot wait to share more details in the weeks ahead. Because What’s Next is only possible if you are part of it! Thanks for partnering with us to make a more human world possible.

Our big news is just TWO DAYS away! What could it be?!? All the details drop June 5 at Noon ET. Don’t miss it! We can’t wait to celebrate it with you.

Thanks for being part of L’Arche life with us.

Our big news drops next week!

June 5 is the big day. It will be live at Noon ET right here on our socials. Mark the date and join us in celebrating What’s Next for L’Arche GWDC!

ID: 1) Luke is outside, smiling, holding a square pink sign that reads "Almost Here!" Eric is leaning his head on Luke, posing for the photo with his tongue out while holding a yellow sign that reads, "Get Ready... We have exciting news to share!" 2) Nicorria is outside in front of tree, wearing a mask and flowered raincoat, holding above her head the same pink sign that reads, "Almost Here!"

Very soon we will be able to share some BIG news that has been in the works for many months.

We can’t wait to tell everyone all about it!

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 5. Then join us in counting down to the big reveal at Noon ET. Stay right here to get the full story about What’s Next for L’Arche GWDC!

ID: 1) Ricky is wearing a red baseball hat, standing in front of a green door, and smiling big as he holds a yellow sign that reads: "GET READY... We have exciting news to share!" 2) A close-up of the yellow sign 3) Father Tim stands outside, sporting his L'Arche pin and holding the yellow sign in one hand as he studies it with a smile.

It's with sadness and celebration that we share that Fritz's Mom, Emmy Lu, died Sunday, May 5th. Emmy Lu was a dear friend, a published poet, an employee, and a leader in L'Arche for many years. As her daughter Lisanne shared, "She is probably singing her way through the pearly gates." Fritz loved his Mom dearly. Let us hold Fritz and Lisanne in our prayers, along with all of us who have experienced Emmy Lu's passion, humor, care, and love.

Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/emmy-lu-daly-obituary?id=55129169

Image Descriptions: 1) Emmy Lu with her arm around Fritz, both smiling at the camera. 2) Emmy Lu and Fritz with their arms around each other. Fritz is smiling and Emmy Lu is holding a singing "ohh" pose. 3) Fritz and Emmy Lu performing on stage in front of a red curtain. Fritz is holding the mic and they're singing. 4) Fritz, Emmy Lu, Mo, and Dottie–all members of GWDC community–are sitting around a table that has flowers, papers, and drinks on it, hanging out.

How do we become more human together? What does it mean to create a more human society? Check out what some of our community members have to say on the topic and let us know what you think too!

Becoming More Human Together L'Arche GWDC members share their experiences about being part of this community, workplace, and movement. Music: PT Cruisin' by Peach Pockets (Ian Malone)Lea...

Community Connections Program is this Saturday, May 18th from 2-4pm at Clarendon United Methodist Church in Arlington, VA.

Please join us for a lovely time of learning, connecting, and being together.

Last month, Ricky led us in talking about Growth 🌱 What will it be this month?! 🎉

Sign up and more info at: larche-gwdc.org/ccp • link in bio and stories • Comment “CCP” and we can send the link directly to you.

ID: 1) Ricky and Laurie stand in front of a projector leading large group time. 2) Folks at CCP are seated in a circle smiling, laughing, and listening. 3) Ricky stands near Johnny who is using the microphone to share his thoughts with the larger group. 4) A navy blue background with orange and white text reads: “L’Arche GWDC’s Community Connections Program. A monthly gathering designed by and for people with and without intellectual disabilities.” A logo of 2 hands joined together accompanies the text.

After all this rain, a rainbow sure feels good. ☔️ 🌈

ID: Eileen stands on her porch smiling big in front of a large rainbow. Vibrant green trees and fellow row houses brighten the mid-ground.

Vacations never get old.

Sometimes ya just gotta make your own photo shoot.



ID: Crisely and Ricky make various dramatic poses outside, both wearing their sunglasses and laughing. Joseph joins the shenanigans with a big smile outside the front door of Euclid apartment.

Eileen's art is up at Union Station, Washington D.C. ! You can see it and other Art Enables pieces now through August. Be one of the 8 million people who pass through Union Station each year! Find Eileen's piece through Gate G.

ID: [1] Eileen stands smiling in front of her artwork. It's a large piece with a bright magenta background. It's surrounded by other large, brightly colored pieces. [2] Eileen points her finger to her name on the exhibition's introduction board.

Elton John keeps making appearances around our house these days. Here he is starting Highland’s garden with our new friends from .

Are you starting a garden this year? ⬇️

ID: Fritz is wearing oversized pink, jeweled, purple-lens sunglasses. He’s got his hand in a bag of soil and seed cartons on the table in front of him. Two ladies from Holy Cross stand nearby.

Our resident musical artists, Queens4, recently received special recognition from the Newsome Gospel Music Awards. The performers–Eileen (pictured with her award), Debora, Chynah, and Jennifer–attended the award ceremony, where there was good food, music, films, and celebrating.

When asked how she felt about being in Queens4, Eileen shared, "I feel good about that. I was so happy about it. I can do some dancin’ and be proud of myself."

ID: Eileen sits holding her Newsome award and smiling wide straight into the camera.

Have you heard about our new Community Connections Program? CCP is a monthly gathering designed by and for people with and without intellectual disabilities.

Join us this Saturday, February 24, from 2-4pm at Clarendon United Methodist Church in Arlington, VA.

For more information and to sign-up go to: Larche-gwdc.org/ccp

Join us on Saturday, March 9th from 11 am to noon for our Lenten Prayer Service. We'll be gathering at The Festival Center in DC for quiet reflection, prayer, and simply being together.
People of any or no faith(s) are welcome. This is a kid-friendly event.
More info: larche-gwdc.org/lent

Happy Valentine's Ash Wednesday Day!
We had a great time at our Valentine's Day Party this past weekend... not much beats grillin' out with friends and bingo!

ID: [1] A man holding a gift bag covered in pink and red hearts.
[2] A group of people placing tokens on bingo cards in a room decorated with red crepe paper.
[3] A person standing in front of a grill, cooking hamburgers.
[4] Three people sitting in a row, smiling at the camera.
[5] Two people side-hugging each other and smiling at the camera. One of them has both hands held up in a peace sign.

Grab a friend and your favorite drink, and listen to all that Ricky has to share with us!

VD: Scenes show Ricky in different spots around his neighborhood and in front of a white wall as he shares what's important to him, hopes, concerns, and more. He's wearing a bright orange, black hat with Big Foot and a DC Statehood sticker.

The news with Ricky Miller Ricky shares his life–his hopes, concerns, desires, and favorite things. Ricky moved into L'Arche in the summer of 2022. We are so grateful and thrilled for...