Celebrating L'Arche Portland Homes
April 28, 2020
Dear Friends,
In mid-March, the support for our homes seemed to be changing by the hour, and we quickly found ourselves without the support of four assistants who needed to tend to personal and family needs or were sent home by their sponsor programs. I’ll admit, there were moments of intense scarcity in trying to plan for the coming days and weeks. At the same time, these conditions allowed the strength and bond of our community to shine.
Amanda, a long-term assistant who left for grad school in Eugene in the Fall answered a call to move back to our Nehalem House to offer some much needed live-in support while finishing her semester. When not studying, she is supporting overnights, enjoying walks with core members, gardening, and sharing meals. It’s amazing the difference that one person can make in bringing a sense of home and abundance to others, including our newest core member, Ben (seen walking together in this photo).
Lukas, an assistant at Neahkahnie, is keeping the spirit of community alive by organizing weekly online game nights for all three homes. These virtual game nights have regulars, such as Brendan from Gabriel House, whose gifts of humor and enthusiasm are creating bonds between members of our homes and reminding us to enjoy ourselves. This commitment by our homes to one another is a model for the rest of us during this disorient-ing time of physical distancing and staying at home.
On behalf of our friends and community, join me in offering a special recognition to our three homes - Nehalem, Neahkahnie, and Gabriel House - for living the mission of L'Arche Portland. For working together to create home, share life, and build community. For opening your hearts to one another. For celebrating the big and small events of life. For praying together, and supporting the spiritual journey of each person. For walking together in times of pain and times of joy. For being a sign of hope to the world. We see you. We appreciate you. We love you.
Enjoy the special recognition video our community made for our homes.
I hope that you are staying safe and healthy, and ask that if you currently find yourself in a position to make a gift, please consider supporting our homes during these uncertain financial times. In order to continue welcoming more assistants like Amanda and Lukas, we need you now more than ever.
With gratitude and hope,
Andrew Noethe
Executive Director, L’Arche Portland
P.S. Be sure to learn more about potential tax incentives found in the CARES Act, including a $300 charitable giving deduction available to all taxpayers.
