L'Arche Portland strives to create a place to call home for people with developmental disabilities and those who share life with them.

I have been here in the Portland L’Arche community since October 2009, but my journey here spans my lifetime.  Somewhere along my way I began to consciously search for a place where my “unique gifts and challenges” would be “welcome.”  Over the years I journeyed to a lot of different cities and entered into many relationships with groups and individuals in pursuit of a spot where I felt I belonged.  Eventually I serendipitously (I love that word and its meaning!) found my way to Portland and the wonderful people I am living alongside today.

“Growth begins when we accept our own weakness.”  ~Jean Vanier

After I graduated from college, I spent a year living as an assistant at L’Arche Portland.  I came to L’Arche not knowing what to do, what to expect, feeling lost and broken on the inside, but showing a brave face on the outside.  I think this is true with many people, but I had amazing mentors, housemates and teachers to help guide me.  Exploring my own vulnerabilities helped me grow as a person and reminded me that we all have our own disabilities--some, however, are well hidden.

In 1990, I was such a lost soul, having come out of a very abusive relationship.  One morning, as I was shuffling newspapers, my eyes focused on a small advertisement that said “CARETAKER” in the classifieds section. Till this day, I do not know why that particular ad stood out among all others, but I remember staring at it and later, dialing the number. That is how I came to the Nehalem House.