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L'Arche home lights the way for disabled
Sheryl Nadler, the Hamilton Spectator
L'Arche Hamilton resident Amanda Wilson, left, with Richard Goto and day program assistant Martin Schmidt make Valentine's Day candles, which will be sold at area retailersr
By Sharon Boase
The Hamilton Spectator (Jan 24, 2006)
It's more birthday cake than wildfire so far but a tiny candle business launched by a group of Hamiltonians with intellectual disabilities is starting to burn bright.
A dozen of the 20 adults who make their home with L'Arche Hamilton -- part of an international network of homes for intellectually disabled adults -- have been slowly and steadily building their cottage industry and a growing clientele.
"People like the candles," says resident Amanda Wilson, who is quick to introduce herself as the in-house artist.
"They like my pictures, too," she adds, showing off three she's had framed at Sealed Art, an art and frame shop that's selling L'Arche candles.
Filling a heart-shaped mould with cubes of white and blue wax, Wilson is careful to keep the wick in the centre.
When she's ready, L'Arche staffer Martin Schmidt fills it with hot wax. After it has cooled, it goes on a shelf in the next room with dozens of colourful wax and decorative gel candles made by residents -- complete with a L'Arche tag and their names.
They began two years ago with a small startup grant from the Hamilton Community Foundation.
The candles can now be found in a second shop (The Little Craft Store in Waterdown) and made an appearance at the Festival of Friends last summer.
Their appearance at a wildly successful multicultural craft fair last November at St. Joseph Immigrant Women's Centre led to their first big contract -- 150 candles for the Flamborough YMCA. It also brought a steady stream of foot traffic to the candle workshop at 862 Main St. E.
So far, all proceeds from candle sales are going back into purchasing supplies, says Juliette Max-Peters, L'Arche Hamilton's work and day program co-ordinator. Eventually, she thinks it might generate some pay.
"It creates a meaningful day for people," says Max-Peters. "And we'd like people to know that people with disabilities have wonderful gifts that need to be recognized and appreciated and supported."
Started by Canadian philosopher Jean Vanier in 1964, L'Arche homes are now in more than 130 communities in 28 countries.
L'Arche's ecumenical philosophy stresses the fundamental humanity and value of all persons and the joys and challenges of living together in community.
L'Arche staff are called assistants and residents are core members.
Unlike other homes for the disabled, L'Arche attendants live in the homes with core members, sharing chores, meals and each other's company. Staffing is such that core members receive one-on-one attention from assistants.
"I think the world desperately needs community," says Jeff Gilbreath, community leader of L'Arche Hamilton's four homes and one apartment. "That word gets kicked around a lot but it's actually happening here."
Seven years ago, a man in his early 60s was sent to L'Arche Hamilton after spending most of his life in an institution. He was described as nonfunctional and incapable of building relationships. They gave him six months to live.
"But I lived with him and I found he was a great help with stir-frying," Max-Peters says. "I'd cut all the vegetables and he did all the stirring. He's still going strong. He loves to sit in his recliner and listen to music and he loves being with people."