SPRE Accelerator 2023 Cohort

L’Arche Ottawa

Ottawa, ON

The Organization

L’Arche demonstrates that with friendship, belonging, and the opportunity to contribute their gifts, people with intellectual disabilities flourish and their lives make a difference. They take a variety of valued roles – employees, volunteers, leaders, artists, teachers, friends, and family – contributing to the lives of their families, friends and communities.

Living with difference and vulnerability is challenging, yet L’Arche demonstrates that when all people, including the most marginalized, take their place, society becomes more human – more colourful, welcoming, creative, compassionate, and joyful.

The Project

One of L’Arche Ottawa oldest homes, built at different period with successive additions, “La Source” is not aging very well, and has many different levels (6 including the basement). The building is not adapted anymore, because of accessibility, bathrooms layout, etc. to the needs of the core members. The objective of our project is a 10 bedrooms home with eventually 2 small apartments for independent living.