Are you interested, or do you know someone who would be interested, in becoming a core member?

What is a core member?

At L'Arche, persons with a developmental disability are known as "core members," and “assistants” are those who come to share life with them. Core members form the heart of the community. They are supported by assistants to share their lives, gifts, and stories with the community.
Go to application

What does a core member do?

Many different things. Some core members have jobs, some core members volunteer, and many of our core members make candles and crafts. Core members serve on committees, go on retreats, and travel to other L'Arche communities. Core members go on trips and vacations with and without the community. Core members participate in celebrations, events, prayers, some play sports, go out to the movies, have dinner with the community, go to church, hang out with friends. Core members build relationships with assistants, community members, people at work. Perhaps most of all core members are willing to share their life with others.
Go to application

Who becomes a core member?

Core members come from many different walks of life, with a wide range of abilities, and ages are 18 to 80+. Core members are willing to share their lives with others, to be part of a community, and are open to trying new things.
Go to application

What sort of commitment does it take to become a core member?

We encourage each of our core members as they go through the application process to think about where they would like to go, what they would like to do, and how L'Arche can best support them in their journey. For some, L'Arche is a stepping stone on the way to a new chapter of their lives, but for most L'Arche provides a lifelong home.
L'Arche realizes that things change in life. If after coming and living at L'Arche a core member realizes that L'Arche is not the right place, we will assist the core member in finding a place that better fits their wants and needs.
Go to application

What are the requirements for becoming a core member?

• You must be 18 years of age or older
• Fill out an application
• Be willing to come and visit L'Arche Blue Ridge Mountains
• Are a current resident of Virginia

Core Member Application

Find a Local L'Arche Community

Return to top