L'Arche Stratford continues to feel the love.
In April 2023, L’Arche Stratford received a generous donation of $1 million from an anonymous donor, the organization said in a media release.
The donor motivated the community to support the 'Be Belong Become' campaign, as the $1 million donation has been successfully matched.
“The outpouring of support from our community has been nothing short of extraordinary," said Campaign Chair Elaine Clark-Siberry. "Raising over $2 million in a single year and $3.8 million to date is a testament to the incredible dedication and belief in our mission."
According to its website, L'Arche Stratford welcomes adults with intellectual disabilities and assistants who live, work and learn with them. In a world that often sees people with intellectual disabilities as less than whole, L'Arche celebrates their creativity, transparency and great capacity for joy as important gifts to be shared, the organization said.
In addition to building a new property, the organization said there is an urgent need in Perth and Huron counties to deliver community participation support and housing. Only three per cent of requests were filled in 2021-2022.
With the help of the community in Perth and Huron counties, the campaign will help to fill the gap of housing and double its capacity for passport administration, an essential service for people with developmental disabilities to receive access to funding for daily activities and opportunities to connect with community.
Plans for the next phase of development are well underway. L’Arche Stratford's board of directors has approved the appointment of Feltz Design Build, GB Architect Inc., MTE Engineer, and NFR Engineering Ltd. to complete the design and site application and move the project toward realization.
The organization is only 60 per cent to its goal of $6.5 million to build the new hub and remain mortgage free.
Fundraising initiatives are upcoming throughout 2024. The organization said getting to the campaign goal would afford L’Arche Stratford the ability to invest in the continued need for housing and growth to support community members in Perth-Huron.
