Social
Concerns
Summer Fellowship
L’Arche Greater Washington DC
Volunteer Non US Citizen
Yes
Categories:
Language Preferences:
Location Details
Description
At the heart of L’Arche’s mission is to make known the gifts of people with intellectual disabilities, revealed through mutually transforming relationships. LArche is unique among residential service providers in that core members (adults with intellectual disabilities) and assistants (people without intellectual disabilities who support core members) choose to live life together like a family. We come together around the dinner table, for house meetings, and for weekly celebrations. We invite guests to find friendship and a uniquely inclusive space, where each person is loved and cared for simply for being themselves. By inviting people into our community and by going out to engage in our neighborhoods we are building a more humane society.
Student Role
Some responsibilities include: building a relationship of mutual care and support with persons with disabilities, observing the rights and personal dignity of others, and learning and supporting the fostering of a home life of unity, mutual respect, and participation by all members. Learn, support, and provide direct care supports, and empower core members in their personal care needs (clothing, hygiene, eating, etc.), money management, medical care, appointments, family and work connections, household chores, laundry, medications, meal preparation, and transportation. Students will help core members achieve personal goals and perform programmatic activities, and adequately document all necessary information, including communicating and self-advocating effectively with doctors and other professionals. Finally, students will learn, observe and participate on a team, including sharing responsibility for household and yard maintenance, cleaning, property upkeep, shopping, and household financial management, routines and meetings, and accompanying core members on vacations and community trips when needed.
Work Schedule
5 days a week, 8 hours/day including 1 weekend day (i.e. Sunday-Thursday or Tuesday-Saturday). Time of the day varies on the needs of the home. Community events are included in the schedule.
Orientation
Orientation is a 2 week program of on the job training, shadowing full-time employees, and building relationships with the people you work with. All leaders and household members are leaders in orientation, along with some outside trainers as required. Supervision and accompaniment will be provided throughout their summer with us by meeting with both the Home Life Leader of the house they are placed in, and the Service Team Leader which oversees two of the homes. They will use that space to reflect on their time and to problem solve any challenges that might arise.
Housing Information
Private room in 1 of our 4 homes, shared bathroom with 2-3 other people _ Inclusive community life _ 3-5 nights of dinner together _ Weekly evening community celebration
Drivers License
If the student has a license and is willing.
Start And End Dates
The Home Life Leader of the assigned home and the Service Team Leader. They will alternate meeting with those two leaders weekly.