L'Arche Portland

  • Community
  • 2 followers

About the Community

  • Established
  • Urban

What we do

At L’Arche Portland, people with and without intellectual disabilities (IDD) are transformed by working together to create home, share life, and build community. We give and receive compassionate care and friendship as a community that fosters a deeper experience of being human. We welcome people of all backgrounds and spiritual journeys to find connection and belonging.

People with disabilities experience disproportionately high rates of discrimination, poverty, poor mental and physical health outcomes, and marginalization. Our society does not recognize one of the most important needs of all – the need to belong. Belonging is a need felt by all people, but it is often neglected for people with intellectual disabilities. L’Arche Portland addresses this common need for belonging and the isolation and loneliness that people with intellectual disabilities face through our intentional model of fostering mutual relationships.

We have two homes and regular gatherings that provide people with and without intellectual disabilities opportunities to discover and build relationships across differences. L’Arche Portland cultivates an extended community of friends, volunteers, and supporters in Oregon, as well as across the country and world. L’Arche Portland is part of an international movement of 160 communities in 37 countries around the world.

Our vision of disability is based on the simple, powerful idea that love, relationships, and belonging are essential to all people and that every person has the ability and responsibility to contribute. Marilyn, one of our community members with a disability, may have summed it up best when she described L’Arche Portland as “a place where they want you.” We are creating, day by day, a place of belonging, a place where people—with or without disabilities—feel welcomed, valued and loved.

Openings in our homes-

Gabriel House Members:

Gabriel House members live in our newest home in Beaverton, Oregon. In this home, adults with and without intellectual disabilities build community together, but do not have a paid caregiving relationship with each other. All are encouraged to pursue activities beyond the home, including employment, school, and community engagement. Those who need support with activities of daily living contract with support workers on an hourly basis. House members pay a monthly Program & Residential fee, which varies according to bedroom size and shared/private bathroom.

Gabriel House Leader:

We are seeking a live-in house leader to help with activity planning within the home and bridging community across our two homes. This live-in role asks for 6-8 hours per week dedicated on L’Arche community building and holds the following responsibilities.

  • Plan and support weekly and monthly community-building activities for the household, including outings, home-based activities, and retreats/vacations
  • Attend and share leadership of weekly House Night, including facilitate house meetings, coordinate grocery and dinner prep for Family Dinners
  • Model positive & appropriate natural (unpaid) supports (ex: chores & cleanliness, communication, activities, errands, and outings together)
  • Empower house members to lead activities and take on responsibilities in the home, including chore chart and family dinner preparation
  • Support conflict resolution and proactive relationship-building among house members
  • Act as on-site point person to house members & L’Arche staff, in case of emergency
  • Work with Director of Community Life and Office Manager on house maintenance and emergency preparedness, ex: smoke alarm testing, fire drills
  • To Apply:
    Please contact us at [email protected] to learn more and request an application to Share Life in Our Homes.

    Our Vision

    People with and without intellectual disabilities sharing life together.

    Our Mission

    People with and without intellectual disabilities sharing life together.

    • Community type
    • Spiritual Retreat Centers
    • 31 Total members
    • Open to new members
    • Open to visitors
    • Open to volunteers
    Total
    31

    How to join

    At L’Arche, people with and without intellectual disabilities share life, create home, and build relationships with one another.

    We do this in many ways, and we are currently seeking Gabriel House Members.

    To learn more about the Gabriel House member role, see our above Community Description.
    You can also learn more and request an application by completing an online inquiry form here: https://www.larche-portland.org/live-with-us

    Basic expectations or agreements for members

    If you would like to explore living at L’Arche Portland, please email us at [email protected].

    If you would like to attend an event, you can learn about upcoming events on our Events page: https://www.larche-portland.org/events

    If you would like to visit our community in some other way, please email us at [email protected]

    Primary decision-making authority

    • Single Leader or Founding Couple

    One person or partnership has ultimate authority.

    Governance structure

    • Collaborative/Horizontal

    Power and responsibility are shared relatively equally among members.

    Economic model

    • Independent Finances

    Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.

    Economic scenarios for this community

    • Members need to pay fees, dues, or similar to live there on a per month or per year basis
    • There is a labor obligation
    • Members typically need to have their own job or other personal source of income to cover their expenses while living in the community?

    Additional economic information

    Monthly fees/dues: Yes (amount not specified)
    Labor: Encouraged or suggested
    Members with pre-existing debt: Yes

    Shared resources and amenities that are accessible to everyone in the community

    Common House, Garden(s), Fire pit, Internet

    Frequency of communal meals

    • About once a week

    Substance use culture

    • Substance use occurs primarily at celebrations or ceremonies
    • Religions
    • Christian
    • Buddhist
    • Jewish
    • Muslim
    • Hindu
    • Quaker
    • Wiccan, Paganism, or Earth Religions

    Property status

    • Privately owned

    Property owner

    Setting

    • Urban

    Within city limits with access to urban amenities and infrastructure.

    Self-produced food

    • Up to 33%

    Reviews

    Location

    • Oregon, United States

    Promoted Needs and Offers

    Need
    • Communities with Openings
    10 months ago

    Seeking Couples Interested in Long Term Deep Connection & Farming (open to singles)

    Description Our  sloped and terraced community farm has far more potential than we have time and energy to use to the fullest. We have been in community for 15 years now, but feeling pulled to the deeper nourishment we find in long-term residents over shorter-term interns.  We seek one to two couples (or super aligned singles) who are interested in conscious connection, intimate conversation, personal growth and healing, regenerative agriculture, and serious about a building a life in community.  Although we hold space and flexibility for shifts in needs, we desire humans who plan to stay for all or part of a season (1-3 months at a minimum), after which we would explore longer-term alignment and relationships.  We MAY also be open to folks wanting to live off-site, as long as we prioritize ample time to explore how we work together before we get too deep. Current Use Heart 2 Heart Farms is a small, forested, 10 acre Permaculture farm nestled in the fertile hills of the Willamette Valley. Between the quaint towns of Newberg and Sherwood, this oasis is in the middle of wine country, just 30 minutes south of Portland, has been an intentional community and teaching facility for over 15 years, hosting a myriad of community outreach, up-cycling, homesteading, and prepping workshops.  Although we have recently slowed substantially, residents should be prepared for both a busy environment, and shared, informal, mixed-use spaces. We are almost completely self-sufficient, producing large varieties of heirloom fruits and vegetables, and we breed, butcher, and sometimes sell heritage chickens, turkeys, rabbits, pigs, goats, sheep, and cattle. We tan hides, carve bone, save seed, occasionally blow glass, throw pottery, create alternative/green energy, dig root cellars, and build constantly. We have three large un/under-utilized areas available: The front hill is a terraced and amended south-facing slope that has LOTS of room and potential. We also have a poultry pasture is 2 acres of partially wooded Douglas Fir, an additional 4 acres of wooded mixed use browsing space and native habitat that’s virtually unused at the moment, two large greenhouses (including one set up aquaponically), and lots of space to expand the orchard and rotational grazing system. Additionally, we have a 20’x40′ healing center and sacred space we use for yoga, massage, reiki, ceremony (including traditional Lakota sweat lodge and grief/trauma work), and make available to local practitioners to offer their services to the community. If you are wanting to connect deeply, work hard, learn and expand your experience base, and participate in a small but established intentional community, shoot us a note and let’s explore. Owner’s Short Term Vision for the Property Our short-term goal is to find/train a few young/new farmers to assist with land stewardship and increase productivity of the existing space to spread out the work/responsibility and assist in overall streamlining and cleanup of the existing farm/operations. Owner’s Long Term Vision for the Property Our long-term vision is to continue to use this space as a teaching and educational facility, expanding the diversity and frequency of events we can host and services we can offer. Over the next few years, we hope to find an a couple interested in learning/independently managing most of the farm production, which will allow us to dig deeper into the training and certification we make available, to include natural building, basic and advanced Permaculture technique and application, beekeeping, horticulture, animal husbandry, food preservation, fermentation, plant identification/natural foraging, and primitive skills. Available Water / Irrigation Extensive rainwater collection on site, as well as a high-flow/capacity well. Soil Type / Quality Sandy loam with great organic matter, good clay content, and established vermiculture and mycorrhizal network. Buildings and Structures Available for Farm Use We have multiple barns and greenhouse space for use, or lease, depending on the particulars of use/situation. Farm Equipment Available for Use We have a skid steer on site, as well as rototiller, chipper, 26′ truck, and pickup trucks for use. Hand tools are also available, depending on the arrangement. Any Restrictions That Could Limit Agricultural Production Creating and supporting natural borders, food forests, and wildlife habitat (and incorporating these into a holistic/natural pest management strategy) is a very high priority to us, so intensive mono-crop/large machine harvesting and/or crops needing spraying/chemicals are not likely a fit on this site. County: Washington Total Acreage: 10 Acreage Available to Landseeker: 5 Current Farming Practices: Organic, Not Certified, Biodynamic, Dry Farming, Season Extension Farming Practices Allowed: Certified Organic, Organic, Not Certified, Biodynamic, Dry Farming, Season Extension Agriculture Types Suitable: Beans, Bees, Berries, Dairy, Fiber Animals, Flowers, Goats, Herbs, Hogs, Mushrooms, Nursery Stock, Nuts, Orchard/Fruit, Pasture, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep, Vegetables, Vineyard, Other
    Offer
    • Housing For Rent + Shared
    4 weeks ago

    Yurt Living & Joining our Family Rhythm (West County Sonoma)

    We are a friendly English family of four living on a beautiful, remote property between Sebastopol and Occidental. We are looking for a grounded, proactive individual or couple to move into our yurt and join our daily rhythm. We live a screen-free, Waldorf-inspired life with our two sons (9 and 7) and our labradoodle puppy, ‘Rainy.’ Our boys are “real characters”—creative, high-energy, and robust. We’re looking for a partnership with someone who can help us maintain a calm, organized, and fun home. The Role & Schedule (20 Hours/Week Baseline) Your rent, utilities, and occasional family meals are covered in exchange for a consistent 20-hour weekly commitment: Childcare: 2x per week (4 PM – 8 PM) and Saturday mornings (9 AM – 1 PM). Outings, basketball, soccer, hiking, and bedtime routine. Cooking & Tasks: One mid-week block for bulk healthy meal prep. Ownership of boys’ laundry, dog walking, gardening, and basic property/pool maintenance. House-sitting: Keeping a watchful eye on the house and puppy when we are away. What We Offer Living Space: Private, standalone yurt with beautiful views over Sexton Valley. It has a “treehouse” feel, a new outdoor kitchen, a private bathroom, and a heated outdoor shower. Community: Access to 1.5 acres, including a hot tub and pool, with opportunities for gardening and mutually supportive living. Terms: No rent and no utilities. Overtime is paid at $25/hour. About You You are proactive without a to-do list. You have a clean driving record and proven experience with kids (ideally in a school or camp setting). You understand how to hold firm, playful boundaries and have a sense of
    Need
    • Communities with Openings
    7 months ago

    Join us in the mountains of Western North Carolina

    Coweeta Heritage Center/Talking Rock Farm is located in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Coweeta is located in a beautiful and diverse temperate rain forest. It feels very remote here yet we are just 12 miles from Franklin, NC. Winters can be mild. Coweeta is blessed with springs and a stream, pristine forests, and abundant wildlife. Power is provided by a hydro-electric system which is not connected to the grid. An organic garden and trout pond provide healthy food that is also shared with the local community. Hiking, kayaking, and other outdoor activities are just out the back door. Coweeta is looking for others who would like to join together to form an Intentional Community embracing the principles of Voluntary Simplicity. Simply put (no pun intended): We wish “to live simply so that others may simply live.” It is a recognition that nature provides us with valuable services and resources that we can use to enrich our lives. Utilizing local resources, appropriate technology, and working cooperatively, we can discover creative ways to meet our needs as “directly and simply as possible.”. An example of this, in the tradition of many Indigenous People”, is to gather, and use wildcrafted foods as part of our diet. There is great joy in going to nature’s grocery for our sustenance. Voluntary Simplicity is based on the recognition that “very little is needed to live well” and that “abundance is a state of mind.” Living lower on the economic ladder allows us more time and freedom to pursue other life goals: community and social engagement, family time, artistic or intellectual projects, more fulfilling employment, political participation, sustainable living, spiritual exploration, and more. According to the Voluntary Collective, “The grounding assumption of Voluntary Simplicity is that all human beings have the potential to live meaningful, free, happy and infinitely diverse lives while consuming no more than an equitable share of (the world’s) resources.” We affirm the need for a work/life balance, the right to a healthy environment and healthy food, and healthy community relationships supporting a diverse population. It is our responsibility as engineers of a new generation to make the changes that we want to see happen and pass this on to the next generations. We can’t wait for someone else to do this important work. Voluntary Simplicity is a quiet revolution that can change the world. As one person said, “we must be poets of our own lives and of a new generation.” We hope you will join us here at Coweeta or elsewhere on our journey to a healthier and more sustainable future! Temporary housing is available in a 27 foot trailer trailer with attached deck next to a creek while we build additional housing. Your basic living expenses (shelter, basic food items, power and water) are met through our market garden or other fundraising projects that you will participate in. You are expected to contribute a given amount of your time and energy to help grow our community and meet our financial obligations. Possible future plans include establishing a retreat center for healing our earth and each other. Work includes organic gardening, construction projects and other community building activities. Come join Coweeta and learn how to live lightly on the land and enjoy the Earth’s bounty! For more information, visit www.coweetaheritagecenter.com Contact [email protected] for a visit or more info.  Paul
    Need
    • Communities with Openings
    8 months ago

    Oak Park Commons Cohousing – Plan to Move in Fall 2025

    Illinois’ first cohousing community fosters intergenerational connection, diversity, and inclusiveness. We welcome all those who share our vision of creating a sustainable residential community in a vibrant urban suburb. Oak Park Commons Cohousing seeks new members. Join the dozen households that have already helped plan and design a five story, 24-unit building near the commercial heart of Oak Park, Illinois. The building includes a mix of one, two, and three, bedroom ADA accessible units. A package friendly first floor mailroom adjoins the lobby, elevator, and parking entrances. Noise mitigation and energy efficient air conditioning assure year-round comfort. The Carpenter & Madison streets corner location includes within a pedestrian friendly half mile radius: a middle school, bus stop, grocery co-op, drug store, bank, CTA train station, Unity Temple, Rush Hospital, Fox Park, Mills Park, and many restaurants. Madison has traffic calming and bike lanes. The Village commercial center, barely a mile away offers the Lake Theatre Cinema, Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Formula Fitness Center, Public Library, Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, and specialty retail and service shops. Oak Park includes excellent K-12 schools. Lincoln public elementary school offers an optional Spanish bilingual program, Gwendolyn Brooks middle school’s wonderful performing arts opportunities and OPRF high school’s great college and career prep. Eight two and three bedroom units are still available for purchase starting at $406,640. Buyers pay a five percent earnest fee when signing a purchase agreement that goes toward down payment at closing. Units available for occupancy starting the last week of October 2025. Visit our website and talk with some of our members to learn more about who we are and how we envision building our community together.   Website: https://oakparkcommons.com/ Contacts: Charles Hoch 708-721-8817; Susan Stall 708-772-8817

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