About Us

We are a charity organization that provides care and advocates for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities.

Mission

L’Arche Winnipeg’s mission is to:
  • Make known the gifts of people with intellectual disabilities, revealed through mutually transforming relationships.
  • Foster an environment in community that responds to the changing dreams and needs of our members, while being faithful to the vision and core values of our founding story.
  • Engage in our diverse cultures, working together toward a more humane society.

Vision

Our Vision is rooted in relationship and belonging:
  • Mutual care, respect, and compassion between people with and without intellectual disabilities
  • Sharing ordinary, daily life with all its joys and sorrows
  • Living, working, learning, and celebrating together in communities of belonging
  • Transforming our lives as we embrace our gifts and imperfections
  • Recognizing that we need each other and are better together
  • A model of inclusion, a way of peace, and a sign of hope for our world.

Spirituality

Christian tradition and has evolved into an ecumenical organization:

L’Arche Winnipeg is rooted in a Christian tradition and has evolved into an ecumenical organization, welcoming people of all religious traditions, as well as those without a formal tradition

There is a shared spirituality in L’Arche that includes finding mystery in the ordinary things of daily life, celebrating the unique gift of each person, and seeing our need for one another as a pathway to inner freedom, mutual care, unity, and communion.

“Spirituality is important to L'Arche because it is a journey in itself. It's not an event, but an invitation to discover oneself.”

Dominic Opaka, Community Leader/Executive Director

What We Do

L’Arche Winnipeg is part of L’Arche International Federation and belongs to L’Arche Canada region. We are a charity organization that provides care and advocates for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities. L’Arche has grown to include over 150 communities in more than 30 countries around the world.

What makes L’Arche different than most caregiving organizations is that we are based on the L’Arche relational model, breaking down barriers between those who give and those who receive support. It replaces society’s emphasis on independence that leaves so many people lonely, with interdependence where each person flourishes as they contribute their gifts for the good of others.

L’Arche Winnipeg homes and programs strive in creating a high-quality life for individuals with intellectual disabilities while advocating for their rights.

Learn more about L’Arche International and L’Arche Canada.

Our Founding Story

L’Arche Winnipeg was founded in 1973 by Sister Marie Paradis supported by a group of Winnipeg residents who felt inspired by L’Arche mission. In October 1973, L’Arche Winnipeg was accepted as a new member of the International Federation.

The first L’Arche home in Winnipeg was donated by the Oblate Sisters in 1973, in a great act of generosity and kindness. L’Aîné (French word meaning eldest, first-born) house is located in the neighbourhood of Transcona. Throughout the years, the community grew around that area. Dayspring, Chimo, and the Ark homes, one Supported Independent Living apartment, the administrative office, and the social enterprise L’Arche Tova Café were also established in Transcona.

Founding Members

Our Current Projects

L’Arche Winnipeg creates homes and social opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

Our friendly social enterprise L’Arche Tova Café opened its doors on April 2, 2012 with the goal of being an interactive place with social opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

The bistro style restaurant in the heart of Transcona offers training and employment for individuals with intellectual disabilities from the local community. Our trainees work with a job coach, and learn valuable service industry skills like greeting customers, presenting menus, and serving food and beverages. Trainees also learn the food prep process and baking skills.

With a structured training program, individuals with intellectual disabilities become proficient in key industry tasks. The program’s goal is to prepare the individuals for employment either at L’Arche Tova Café or at another restaurant.

L’Arche Tova Café features hearty breakfast and lunch table service, take-out, catering, and offers freshly baked goods daily.

We are open Tuesday to Saturday, 7:30 am to 2:00 pm.

For menu, click here.

We are excited to announce that the Community Circles Program (previously Seniors Circles) is expanding to meeting twice weekly! These daytime events will be held at the Welcome Centre and out in the community, offering a range of engaging activities for individuals who are retired or leading to retirement. Activities are designed based on participants’ interests, and promote healthy living, creativity, and cultivate friendships. 

To learn more about the Community Circles Program, please contact communitycircle@larchewinnipeg.org

If you’re interested in volunteering at our Community Circle Program, please contact our Volunteers Coordinator at volunteer@larchewinnipeg.org.

L’Arche Winnipeg is currently seeking to deepen our impact by developing a Community Navigator role to support with outreach, connection, and day programming for both Core Members and people in the community. This is in line with our current Mandate (2022-2025), in which we committed ourselves to work towards creating a Community Navigator Program.

L’Arche Winnipeg Today

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our L’Arche Winnipeg community in 2023, we are blessed to have six homes, one Supported Independent Living apartment, programs, and the social enterprise L’Arche Tova Café. We welcome people from all over the world to work and share their lives with us in the homes, promoting friendship, inclusion, and mutual care. We have 25 core members living in our homes, and about 15 live-in assistants.

We invite you to join us in creating a world where everyone belongs.

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Creating a world where everyone belongs.

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