L’Arche Jacksonville: Sharing Life for 40 Years

L’Arche Jacksonville is a nonprofit community for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Formerly known as Harbor House, L’Arche is celebrating 40 years of service this year. Their Ruby Jubilee, a garden party honoring 40 years of community, friendships and sharing life, is May 10, 2025.

Located next door to Christ the King Catholic Church on Arlington Road, L’Arche has four homes where people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, who are known as “core members” live, and the Rainbow Workshop where they create pieces of art to display and sell.

“Sharing life” with the core members are assistants, who help with everyday needs, such as cooking, chores, daily routines and recreational activities. Some of the assistants live in the homes as well. The result is a welcoming, inclusive community for all. “We have our very own Brady Bunch,” said Lorie Strange, development director.

The first L’Arche home opened in France in 1964. There are now 160 L’Arche communities in 37 countries around the world – 80 of the homes are in the United States.

Their mission envisions a world where everyone has a secure place of belonging in community, where people with and without disabilities can live in mutually transformative relationship, and where all people’s gifts are valued and given a place from which to contribute to the wider society.

L’Arche Jacksonville opened in 1985 and of the 14 core members living there currently, there are two core members who have lived there all 40 years.

Joy, 70, is the matriarch of the community. “Joy is really good at recognizing and reading people,” said assistant Mallory Koch. “She can tell when you are feeling overwhelmed and she just looks at you and says, ‘I love you.’ Joy calls us to slow down and be present.”

Adds assistant Elizabeth Cashen, “Love is the reason we are all here.”

Ann May, 68, has bright red hair and enjoys an occasional glass of wine. “Ann May appreciates the simplicity of quality time,” said Elizabeth. “You can sit in the living room and just be with her.” Mallory notes that Ann May is a “loyal friend who wants to get to know new people and enjoys singing songs during family dinner.”

Both Kathy, 80, and Jeff, 63, came to the community in 1989.

Purple-haired Kathy has a vibrant personality and a special nickname for everyone. She’s a great singer even when she doesn’t know the words. “Kathy loves creating,” said Mallory. “She discovered art at age 75 and her favorite is making ceramics in the clay room. When given time, gifts are revealed.”

Jeff was a “trickster as a kid” and loves to dance. He adds letters into word searches to spell names of other core members and assistants. “Jeff is so funny,” said Elizabeth. “He’s the rock of the house and a calming presence by being goofy and fun.”

During the weekday, most of the core members participate in the Rainbow Workshop, where they can paint, make jewelry, design notecards, form ceramics and more, which are for sale to benefit L’Arche Jacksonville. They also create coffee mugs, which are utilized at Happy Brew. In the evenings, they enjoy family dinners, singing and reading together. Special outings include concerts, football games and traveling to see family.

What makes the L’Arche community special is the mutual friendships formed among a diverse group of people – some with intellectual/disabilities and some without – from various cultures and backgrounds. Since L’Arche is an international federation, some of the assistants have come to Jacksonville from other countries such as Poland, Germany and Morocco.

At L’Arche, the core members and assistants are all learning from each other. “In a society, where they are often overlooked, L’Arche recognizes and celebrates the gifts the core members have and want to share them with the greater community”, said Mallory. “But in reality, our core members are some of the greatest teachers of love and caring; they don’t care about climbing the social ladder.”

“There is a purpose here that you don’t get in other places,” said Elizabeth. “It gives you a perspective on life. Productivity doesn’t define you. Love does.”

For more information, please visit www.larchejacksonville.org.

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