L’Arche Comox Valley creates inclusive community where people with and without intellectual disabilities share life together. They operate three main programs: The Anchorage (a residential program), the I Belong Centre (community-based social connection and inclusion), and Living Support services that help people with intellectual disabilities live as independently as possible. There’s also L’ArcheWorx Collective, which provides employment opportunities and runs a retail shop where community members work.

The organization is built on the idea that meaningful relationships and belonging matter more than just service delivery. Live-in assistants commit to typically a year of sharing daily life with community members—cooking meals, helping with personal care, doing household tasks, and participating in activities together. It’s a model where everyone contributes and everyone learns, not a traditional client-service setup. The focus is on building friendships and creating space for people to be themselves.

Volunteers are welcome on a one-time or regular basis for activities like special events, painting, scrapbooking, drama, cooking, or just spending time with community members. You pick your own schedule. If you’re interested in the live-in assistant role, applications go through L’Arche Canada’s website. Contact [email protected] if you want to get involved. The organization also hosts events and fundraisers throughout the year; check their website for what’s coming up.