Showing up for one another

This holiday season, I am filled with gratitude for the incredible ways our community at L’Arche Portland comes together in times of need. At L’Arche, we are more than core members, friends, neighbors, or assistants – we are a circle of people committed to showing up for one another with love and continuous support, no matter what.

Some of you may know that Cindy, one of our founding core members, experienced a serious health issue last summer and spent a three-month period in the hospital. In that time, the strength of our community came through like never before. Day after day, there was someone by Cindy’s bedside – an attentive assistant, community member, or friend – bringing warmth, comfort, and the feeling of home to an unfamiliar and often overwhelming place.

The hospital staff provided excellent care, but it was the steady presence of our L’Arche community that turned a difficult situation into something filled with hope and connection. Shared stories, small moments of laughter, new CDs, a window seat filled with stuffed animals, and a sense of familiarity and acceptance replaced fear. This is what we do at L’Arche – we create a space where no one feels forgotten and every person knows they are seen and deeply loved.

When the day came for Cindy to return home, the joy that filled the house was palpable. Sitting together around the dinner table, reunited again, we celebrated more than just the end of a hospital stay and the miraculous return of health to one of our core members – we celebrated the resilience, love, and togetherness that define who we are.

This is the heart of L’Arche Portland:

A community where every individual is valued, where we stand by each other through life’s ups and downs, and where love compels us to make a difference in this lifetime. This work is made possible because of your support.

Will you help us continue to show up for one another by making an end-of-year gift this December?

Your generosity sustains everything we do – from providing complex and competent care for our core members to building moments of connection that remind us all of our shared humanity. Whether it’s a monthly donation or a one-time gift, your support ensures that we can always be there for one another, no matter what the future holds.

Thank you for being part of this inclusive community. Together, we are creating a world where love, belonging, and respect are at the center of everything we do.

With gratitude and hope,

Julia Brown Executive Director/Community Leader