The Role of the Assistant

Assistants come to L’Arche Daybreak from around the world, and around the corner, so our community includes Canadians as well as people from many other countries. The key to life in L’Arche – for everyone – is being open to relationship. Assistants and core members (people with intellectual disabilities) create home together in households of six to eight to people. Days are filled with the ordinary tasks of daily living – meals, bathing, cleaning and household chores, laundry, shopping, accompanying people to the doctor or the dentist – and regular community meetings and events. Home life is the cornerstone of L’Arche. The evening meal, birthdays, and times of prayer are small but cherished celebrations that strengthen the bonds between people who live and work together.

Most people come with an initial commitment of one year. Assistants come with a broad range of backgrounds and qualifications. All new assistants participate in a program of orientation and training. Compensation and benefits are provided.

Click here to read about one assistant's experience at L'Arche Daybreak.

The objective of L’Arche communities is to be schools of relationship. Many schools exist which help people develop their intellectual capacities; there are many schools of formation for people to develop their abilities and deepen their religious faith. But there are not many “schools of the heart”, ”schools of compassion”, “schools of relationship” which help people open up to those who are different and to understand them.”

Jean Vanier, Founder of L’Arche