OREANDA-NEWS. September 12, 2016. Today at L’Arche Cape Breton Society’s (L’Arche) Iron Mines location, Rodger Cuzner, Member of Parliament for Cape Breton-Canso, announced a \\$460,000 non-repayable contribution to help build a new 3,800 square-foot facility. This Government of Canada funding, which is being provided through the ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund (ICF), will enable L’Arche to expand their work programs for adults with intellectual disabilities as well as the scope of training and professional development programs for staff. This announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

This significant project is also benefitting from the support of multiple funding partners who value the community contributions and impact of L’Arche. Contributions include: \\$10,000 from the Municipality of the County of Inverness; \\$15,000 from The Windsor Foundation; and, \\$150,000 from the Ark Community Initiatives Society, which is the fundraising arm of L’Arche and is governed by a separate board of directors.

The project will also result in the relocation of a portion of the Ark store to the new facility allowing L’Arche to expand its product lines, resulting in more work opportunities for its members and increased revenues which will enhance the organization’s sustainability.

Quotes

“The Government of Canada is committed to working with organizations, like L’Arche Cape Breton Society, that significantly improve the quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities. Investments such as these will ensure that the organization is part of the community for years to come, providing invaluable resources and opportunities to members and the families and staff who support them.”

     - The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

“The L’Arche Cape Breton Society is a precious resource which helps adults with intellectual disabilities discover their potential and contribute to their communities. The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is pleased to support L’Arche as they build and expand their facilities in Iron Mines. The work being conducted here is important not only to L’Arche members, but also to the community through the job, volunteer and skills development opportunities they create."

     - Rodger Cuzner, Member of Parliament for Cape Breton-Canso

“L’Arche Cape Breton has been in existence for over 30 years and is such an important component of the communities in which they are located. This project will enhance the L’Arche community in Iron Mines as they continue with their vision to provide work related programs to those with intellectual disabilities in an updated residential facility."

     - Duart MacAulay, Warden, Municipality of the County of Inverness 

“Members of L’Arche Cape Breton are grateful for the faithfulness and generosity of our donors and friends as we continue to spread our mission of appreciating the unique value of each person and recognizing that everyone has something to contribute to society. Through the recent support of the municipality and ACOA, the expansion of our facilities will enable our Day Programs to further their purpose in providing meaningful work for people with intellectual disabilities and to promote a culture of growth and learning beyond the L’Arche community.”

     - Mukthar Limpao, Executive Director, L’Arche Cape Breton Society

“The new building will help L’Arche Cape Breton to continue our efforts to enable people with intellectual disabilities to reveal their gifts and to make valuable contributions to the communities where they live and work. We are grateful for the assistance of ACOA as well as the support of our Municipality, foundations and friends of the L’Arche community.”

     - Linda MacRae, Chair, The Ark Communities Initiatives Society

Background:

The L'Arche Cape Breton Society (L'Arche) was incorporated in March 1982 as a society under the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stock Companies. Founded by Canadian Jean Vanier, L'Arche is part of an international organization that helps to create a home and work for people with intellectual disabilities. L'Arche Cape Breton has been in operation for 33 years and employs approximately 60 people in operations located in Iron Mines, Orangedale and Mabou; all rural communities of Inverness County, Nova Scotia.

L'Arche Cape Breton operates six houses, an apartment, a chapel, a hermitage, a house of welcome and retreat, and a garden. It also operates a work program for its members that includes: a used clothing store, a workshop, a day program and an integrated work placement program with local businesses.

L'Arche is a charitable society and is licensed by the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services (NS DCS). Funding for residential care is provided by NS DCS; however, support for work programs is not. The Ark Community Initiatives Society supports the mission of L'Arche Cape Breton in ways that the NS DCS does not, through non-governmental sources such as personal and corporate donations, clothing sales and craft sales.