L’Arche Jacksonville
Site Address:
700 Arlington Road N.
Jacksonville
,
FL
32211
United States
Volunteer Non US Citizen
Yes
Categories:
Other Categories:
Disabilities (developmental, physical, learning), Healthcare (physical, mental)
Language Preferences:
Location Details
Description
L’Arche Jacksonville is a residential community where adults with and without intellectual/developmental disabilities share life together through meals, recreation, prayer, and social engagement. L’Arche Jacksonville is a community with three family-style homes, the Blanchart Community Center, and a day program called the Rainbow Workshop. We believe that by creating an environment where people with disabilities can share their gifts, we are creating a positive change in the world. We believe that these shared gifts have the power to transform the lives of those who are open to receiving them. L’Arche is a bold response to society’s assumptions about people with intellectual disabilities. L’Arche strives to create a radically inclusive space where people with intellectual disabilities are placed at the center of community. Core members are celebrated and respected for their unique gifts, wisdom, and insight. In L’Arche, core members and assistants mutually need one another. We create a community of belonging by forming reciprocal friendships based on mutual respect, including core members in decision making and planning processes, empowering core members to make choices that affect their own lives, respecting the wisdom and championing the unique gifts of each of our members, in and out of community, sharing life together, and committing ourselves to examining our own misconceptions about disability.
Student Role
Students support a team of staff assistants to provide companionship and participate in social/recreational activities with adults with intellectual disabilities (core members) at L’Arche Jacksonville. Students are active participants in the life of the L’Arche home, assisting with chores and cooking, house traditions, activities, and outings. Specific responsibilities include: Work cooperatively with Core Members (adults with intellectual disabilities) and other L’Arche Assistants to create community and support the growth and well-being of each member of the home, assist our core members with some basic needs, including hygiene and health, participate in recreational/social activities with core members according to their interests and passions, share household responsibilities including cooking, maintenance of house, and following standards set in place by L’Arche Jacksonville’s regulatory agencies, participate in celebrations, leisure activities, trips, community nights, retreats, one-on-one outings with core members.
Work Schedule
Students will work 5 days a week. Weekdays are typically a split shift (7a-9a and 3p-9p), and weekends are typically 9a-5p or 12p-8p. Students have two consecutive days off. Can include overnight shifts.
Orientation
We provide a virtual orientation before students arrive to learn about L’Arche Jacksonville mission, traditions, expectations, and disability rights history. Upon arrival, students will receive in-service training on important topics related to assisted living and the healthcare/behavioral needs of core members. Students will be paired with experienced staff assistants to learn how to support core members.
Housing Information
Students will live in the L’Arche houses, alongside live-in assistants and core members. Each student will have a private bedroom with furnishings and bedding provided. Common living spaces, including kitchen and bathroom, will be shared. Students are expected to respect quiet hours (9p-7a) and to help keep common areas clean and tidy.
Background Check
Child Protection/Working with Youth Training, Fingerprints, Local Background Check
Training Required
CPR Training is required.
Drivers License
No
Student Preferences
Open-minded, empathetic, compassionate, takes initiative, enjoys working as part of a team, and patient.