Our annual dinner
banquet at the
London Convention
Centre was a great
experience for more
than 700 friends
old and new to
experience L’Arche.
While celebrating the
founding of L’Arche
50 years ago by
Jean Vanier, we also
looked ahead and
shared the vision of
the Gathering Place,
a place where we can
continue to grow and offer expanded
services to those in the community who
need and want a place of belonging.
Our Honorary chairs Arthur and Sonia
Labatt and our founder Jean Vanier sent
messages sharing their endorsements
and congratulations. Our crafts and art
were proudly on display and for sale.
With all proceeds going the project we
thank our corporate sponsors who gave
generously to support the cause.
The Gathering Place project is well
underway with the property and plans
established. The location will be in the
south west of London at the corner of
Colonel Talbot and Sunray. Our plan is
to build an 8000 sq. ft. facility that will
include craft studios, kitchen, snoezelen
room, wellness room, and library. The
facility is designed to an environmental
standard reflecting our commitment to
our community. Our fundraising efforts
are approaching the million dollar
milestone at about 35% of the $2.5
million target.
Toinette Parisio will be transitioning
from her role as the
community leader to
continue the work of
the Gathering Place
project. She has
been active reaching
out to groups and
individuals sharing
the vision and
mission of L’Arche
and now will focus
promoting the
Gathering Place
Project as well as
supporting the
region.
We thank you for your interest and
support of the Gathering Place
campaign. In response to some
questions we have received, please see
the FAQ’s which hopefully will respond
to some of your inquiries. In addition, I
extend a personal invitation for you to
join us at any of the upcoming L’Arche
events identified in the upcoming
events schedule. As always, if you
have any questions pertaining to the
Gathering Place, please feel free to
contact me directly – there are lots of
opportunities to participate.
Fifty Years is in itself a testimony to
the importance of L’Arche in our
communities. It seems as I share what
L’Arche is about that more and more
of us are touched by disability and at
L’Arche where we experience the gifts
of those with and without disability we
have a sense of our loss when we as a
society do not honour those gifts.
I invite you to visit our web site to see
more details and more importantly I
encourage you to consider your financial
participation.
Thank you for Joining our Journey!
Garry Dodman
L’Arche London Gathering Place,
Campaign Chair
We first met Jean Vanier in France in
the fall of 1968, a few months after we
had moved to Paris. My mother, who
was a close friend and a great admirer
of Madame Vanier, was visiting us at the
time. She told us that Madame Vanier’s
son, Jean, had opened a home near
Paris four years earlier for adults with
intellectual disabilities.
We got in touch with Jean, and he
accepted our invitation to join us for
afternoon tea in our tiny apartment. He
was a wonderfully gracious and modest
man who believed deeply in what he
was doing. The first of his communities
in Canada opened the next year. We
supported the international work of
L’Arche for a number of years, but it
was 25 years after our first meeting
with Jean that the Chair of L’Arche
Canada invited us to Richmond Hill
to show us how a L’Arche community
really functions. We were extremely
impressed.
We are delighted to hear that L’Arche
will be opening a ‘Community Gathering
Place ‘in Lambeth, close to L’Arche’s
three existing homes. It will offer specific
programs for members with intellectual
disabilities from the greater London
area. There are hundreds of individuals
in the region who are on waiting lists
for a meaningful day program. In
addition to helping people in its new
facility there will be a focus on the
environment, and this is all happening
in London, a city very important to both
of us. We have a strong desire to help in
any way we can.
We are delighted to be the honorary
Chairs for this important and responsible
project benefiting the London
community. The L’Arche Gathering Place
embodies the vision of society of a great
humanitarian: Jean Vanier.
Arthur and Sonia Labatt
Messages from the
community
“We are very pleased to provide
our support for the L’Arche
London Gathering Place. With our
considerable involvement in the
London community, we consistently
see first hand the tremendous need
for the programs and services which
this facility will provide in the future.”
Addie J. Daabous
Co-Founder / Executive Director
Ideal Way
“We are always very pleased to
provide our support for the L’Arche
London Gathering Place and see
the tremendous need firsthand for
the programmes and services this
facility will provide in their future
endeavours. We eagerly look forward
to the successful completion of the
Gathering Place.”
Don and Dorothy Adams
Frequently Asked Questions
WHEN IS THE BUILDING
CONSTRUCTION ANTICIPATED TO
COMMENCE?
At this initial stage of the campaign,
donors have been responding. As of
April, 2014, aprox 35% ($860,000)
of the campaign target has been
achieved in both cash and pledges.
Although encouraging, we will need
everyone’s support to reach our
campaign target of 2.5 million dollars.
Ultimately, the continued generous
support from the community will
dictate the specific start date of the
Gathering Place project.
WHERE IS THE FINANCIAL
SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT
COMING FROM?
The catalyst which enabled the
purchase of the property and the start
of the campaign was a substantial
bequest from a women who
embraced the future vision of L’Arche
London. Subsequent support has
been achieved through 100% Board
participation, staff, the corporate
sector, families, foundations, special
event revenue generation, and
religious and service organizations.
It is also anticipated that some
short-term bridge financing may be
required to get the project underway.
WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR THE
2.5 ACRE GATHERING PLACE
PROPERTY?
A comprehensive landscape plan
has been completed a nd approved
by the City of London. Future use
will accommodate special events,
program activities, and opportunities
for community usage. Some of the
WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE
key functions will include: eco garden,
TO DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN?
nature trail, community plots, and
Cheque, MasterCard, or Visa are
elevated L’Arche garden beds for
available. In addition, many campaign L’Arche participants with mobility
supporters are using the convenience issues. There has also been land
of a pre-authorized monthly plan. See designated to accommodate the
the website for additional information. continued participation of the Lambeth
Youth Soccer Association.
ARE LEGACY GIFTS PART OF THE
CAMPAIGN?
ARE ALL DONATIONS TO THE
CAMPAIGN TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
Several naming opportunities have
been identified both in the new
Yes, as a registered charity, all
facility and specific areas in the master campaign gifts are tax deductible
landscape plan. Naming opportunities within the current guidelines of the
provide an honor to an individual,
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Donor
family member, or a celebration of
s are encouraged to consult with their
someone special. Contact the office
financial professional to obtain advise
for additional information.
in respect to their own individual
circumstance.