There are places where people receive services.

And then there are places where people truly belong.

Over the past year, we've watched Emily find more than a house. She has found friendships, purpose, independence, and a community where adults with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities share everyday life together.

L'Arche North Carolina has become an important part of our family's story.

If you know Emily, you've probably experienced her warmth, humor, dancing, determination, and joy. One of the greatest gifts has been seeing those same gifts recognized and celebrated by the people around her. At L'Arche, Emily isn't defined by her disability. She is known for who she is, and she is encouraged to share her gifts with others.

One thing we've come to appreciate is that the life Emily enjoys today doesn't happen by accident. It is the result of L'Arche's intentional commitment to relationships.

While Medicaid helps fund basic residential services, L'Arche chooses to go beyond the minimum. They intentionally pay assistants more than the average direct support professional wage because they believe the people caring for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve to be valued. That investment helps recruit and retain assistants who don't simply provide care, but become trusted friends, companions, and members of the community.

L'Arche also staffs its home with two assistants whenever possible. That means Emily isn't simply staying safe at home. She has someone who can drive her to dance class, Jam Together, volunteer at a local thrift store, attend community events, or simply meet a friend for coffee while another assistant is home supporting the other Core Members. Those everyday opportunities have helped Emily grow in confidence, strengthen her social skills, and embrace a level of independence we weren't sure was possible.

As Emily's family, we've watched her truly come alive. We've also been given an incredible gift ourselves. Knowing Emily is surrounded by people who genuinely know and love her has given us tremendous peace of mind. We can enjoy retirement, travel together, and spend time with family knowing Emily isn't simply receiving care. She is living a full, meaningful life in a community she proudly calls home.

Providing that kind of community costs about $33,000 each month. Medicaid funding and resident fees cover much of those expenses, but they don't fully fund the relationship-centered model that makes L'Arche so unique. Every month, friends of L'Arche help provide the remaining $8,000 needed to sustain this community.

We've seen firsthand what that investment makes possible. It's why we're inviting the people who know and love Emily to help sustain the community that has given so much to our family.

If Emily's story has ever made you smile, or if you believe every person deserves a place where they are known, valued, and loved, we hope you'll consider joining us with a gift of any size.

Every donation helps ensure that L'Arche can continue creating the kind of home where people don't simply receive care. They find friendship, purpose, independence, and belonging.

Thank you for being part of Emily's Circle of Belonging.

Celebrating Emily's Home

Emily's Circle of belonging: a fundraiser for L'Arche by Emily & her family!

Team Members