NonProfit / Charity
Frederick, MD
21702
L’Arche Frederick celebrates the gifts of people with intellectual disabilities and builds relationships across differences. We believe communities thrive when they welcome and honor the contributions of people with intellectual disabilities. We’re committed to building a more just and compassionate society where all experience belonging.
For eight years, we have built an inclusive community alongside our neighbors with and without intellectual disabilities. Monthly social programs and prayer gatherings have formed the foundation of our community life. We commit to walking together through all the changes life presents, whether we live with the experiences of intellectual disabilities or not, and that sense of belonging extends to the broader community of Frederick. Thanks to our supportive neighbors and dedicated partnerships, L’Arche Frederick is ready to step into our next stage of growth – opening the first L’Arche home in Maryland!
Our unique model of care unites adults with intellectual disabilities and live-in assistants in homes where everyone chooses to live together. The Core Members (adults with disabilities) receive support from Assistants (direct support professionals) in all aspects of daily living based on their specific needs. Together, they contribute to a family-like environment that incorporates shared responsibilities, mutual relationships, and access to community services. Key elements of the home include:
Belonging: People who choose to live together and support one another, as a family
Quality Care: Skilled assistants with a focus on authentic relationships
Spirituality: Welcoming and respecting diverse spiritual beliefs in an interdenominational Christian community
Lifelong Homes: Offering a loving home for as long as the core member desires
As members of an international federation of 154 L’Arche communities in 38 countries, we know this model of intentional, inclusive community living works.
Transformative Impact
Your gift to the Unity Campaign will support the founding of our first home and have a transformational impact on the lives of adults with disabilities. The first core members will receive long-term housing, transportation, daily life supports, and a place of belonging, with access to meaningful friendships and social activities for life.
Unity funds will contribute to costs associated with furnishing the home, securing a house van, and making environmental modifications to the home to ensure accessibility for core members. Additionally, while L’Arche Frederick will be able to receive state funding for a portion of our residential services, we will not be eligible for funding for the first six months after we open our doors. In this way, your partnership is instrumental in crafting a loving, supportive foundation for our first home.
21701
Adult Literacy is a Survival Skill …
Yet … more than 25,000 Frederick County adults struggle with everyday life skills related to literacy. This includes native English speakers who can’t read or write, and English language learners. These skills are fundamental to work, prosperity, health, and family stability.
The COVID-19 public health crisis is dramatically impacting families in our communities who struggle with literacy. Challenges they faced prior to this crisis are only compounded when confronted with trying to understand alerts, access health resources, support their children’s at home schooling and maintain stable employment. Thanks to using distance learning platforms, the Literacy Council is continuing to provide programs and services online through remote instruction — expanding access to classes and tutoring, and training for new volunteers.
The Literacy Council of Frederick County’s programs and services impacted over 335 adults last year. 150+ volunteers contributed 12,800+ hours conducting individual or small group tutoring; conducting class instruction in beginning literacy, conversation, pronunciation, basic computer skills, writing and civics; supporting new parent literacy and workplace English classes; providing information and referral for other community programs; and contributing to the organization’s administration and outreach.
Many of our students fall within ALICE household metrics, experiencing financial hardships, being unemployed or underemployed, or working multiple part-time minimum wage jobs. While these are multifaceted and complex issues, adult literacy is the one factor that can have a positive impact across the board.
The Unity Campaign helps to raise the financial support necessary to provide literacy programs by providing an efficient and community-wide platform to raise awareness and much-needed funds to our Basic Literacy (native English speakers) and English as a Second Language programs, including two new initiatives:
Parent Outreach Program: Increase the literacy and English language skills of parents of young children to enhance early childhood development, school readiness and school success by partnering with the Judy Center and Butterfly Ridge, Hillcrest, Lincoln and Waverley Elementary Schools.
Workplace Literacy Program: Increase workplace literacy and English skills for workers in hospitality and social service jobs to improve employment opportunities and provide a long-term, lasting solution to financial stability.