L'Arche - Over the years

This section is devoted to telling the story of L'Arche - Cleveland as it developed over the years. It is a work in progress - can you contribute to it?

If so, e-mail us: wcl@mail-now.com

Introduction:

L'Arche is an International Organization begun by Jean Vanier, to offer alternative housing to mentally retarded adults. L'Arche means "ark" since it pro-provides homes for people of various backgrounds, races, faiths, and economic bases for a few weeks, months, or years.

L'Arche is special, in the sense that we are trying to live in a community with people who are mentally handicapped. Certainly we want to help them grow and reach the greatest independence possible. But, before doing for them, we want to 'be with them.' The particular suffering of people who are mentally handicapped, as of all marginal people, is a feeling of being excluded, worthless and unloved. It is through everyday life in community and the love which must be incarnate in this, that handicapped people can begin to discover that they have a value, that they are loved and so loveable." .Page xi of Community and Growth: Our Pilgrimage Together - Jean Vanier, 1979

Brief History of L'Arche-Cleveland

L'Arche-Cleveland began August 11, 1975 when Terry Gaydosh (Jungquist) and Sr. Pat Wehner moved to our home, Lamb of God, in the Hough area which we were able to rent from the Famicos Foundation. We accepted the challenge to live the Charter of L'Arche in its unique call to us. We wanted to be open to whomever Jesus would send us, to live a simple and poor style of life trusting that Jesus would provide for our needs, as well as be a self-supporting community,. After a month of painting and accepting donations of furniture and household items we welcomed our first handicapped person in September. For the next few years assistants and handicapped people came to be with us for various periods of time. In 1978, we became a permanent member of the International Federation of L'Arche. About the same time we were also licensed by the State of Ohio: as a family home for five mentally retarded adults. By this time Lamb of God Home was filled and we had to make an important decision--whether or not to expand. Could we trust enough that all would be given us from file loving care of Jesus? In November of 1979, L'Arche moved into an Addison and Superior apartment.

Timeline of Some Activities and Events

1964

August 4th - Jean Vanier welcomes Philippe and Raphael to the first L'Arche home in Trosly-Breuil, a small village about 100 kms. northeast of Paris.

1975

Beginning of the early years for L'Arche Cleveland

1976

On October 21, 1976, L'Arche - Cleveland receive its 501 (c) (3) designation from the US government.

1977

1978

1979

1980

1981

August 11, Lamb of God House's 6th Birthday - the beginnings of L'Arche-Cleveland

September 16, 1981 - "Like Our Logo?" Our new logo combines a familiar "ark" with the international sign for "boating". Add the name of our community and this is what you get. It will be part of all our correspondence from now on. L'Arche-Cleveland is grateful to Susan Fichner for the design.

June 15th, Soe Kozial left L'Arche-Cleveland to move to Washington, DC, where Dennis Calderone was beginning a L'Arche community. "If you would like to keep in touch, her new address is:

2474 Ontario Road, NW / Washington, DC 20009. The later was named the Community of the Arc (COTA)

1982

L-Arche-Cleveland was incorporated May 15, 10982 as a not for profit Charitable Corporation on Ohio Law. It was assigned a Federal TAX ID number of 34-1193618.

1983

November 9 - Bob Kloos, an early board member, resigns. The board considers a "House Purchase at 1075 East 77th St. The board has a lease with Famicos foundation that calls for purchase of the home by May 15th, 1984.

Sam A. Richmond is Board President

Sister Patricia Wehner is Executive Director

1984

L'Arche-Cleveland received contributions of $ 22,339. for the year.

Sam A. Richmond is Board President

Sister Patricia Wehner is Executive Director

1985

L'Arche-Cleveland received contributions of $ 16,825. for the year.

L'Arche Erie's President William J. "Bill" Maus welcomes Mary Ann Zarnick as new Executive Director.

William C. Laufer is Board President

Sister Patricia Wehner is Executive Director

1986

In December 10, 1986, L'Arche received a grant for $ 40,000. to purchase its home on East 127th Street.

1987 Feb 1st - L'Arche plans a raffle in hopes of getting our early homes, Resurrection House and Lamb of God House into the hands of deserving families. The original good idea prompts the Cleveland Housing Network to offer purchase, minor rehab and eventual placement with deserving families. The Spirit works in strange ways.

1988

Board meeting were held at St. Dominic School

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

October - L'Arche hosts a Blessing Celebration for our homes. The event is attended by many current and former L'Arche folks. Art work by Dyane Hronek Hanslik and Bob Dewey of CMA, Circle Dancing for Peace lead by Tom Leonhardt and Carolyn Horvath, singing by the marvelous Tompkins Singers help round out the ceremonial blessings given by Pastor Edward Small, Fr. George Strohmeyer, Rabbi Sharon Young and Reg. Gary Georgi.

Elsa Mae, BJ, John, Millie, Rodney, Ed, Diane Gloria and many others approved.

1995

1996

1997

1998