Overview
1. Assist disabled Core Members of L’Arche to develop specific skills. The goals will include implementing and carrying out elements of a structured program as developed in an individual’s program plan.
2. Accompany disabled Core Members to various appointments, such as medical, dental, vocational, etc.
3. Accompany Core Members in their leisure and non-structured activities; to become friends with the Core members, not just supervisors of the Core Members. The Assistant will also facilitate community integration in recreational aspects of life.
4. Attend meetings that relate to the development of programs for the Core Members, i.e., individual program planning meetings, annual/semi-annual reviews, quarterly reviews, team meetings, L’Arche community meetings, etc.
5. Be responsible for the completion of all required documentation: fiscal, programmatic, medical, log, etc.
6. Assist in the ongoing day-to-day operations of the household, e.g., purchase of supplies and groceries as needed; preparation of meals for either house or community occasions; provide routine maintenance and upkeep of the residence and residential vehicles; facilitate Core Members’ transportation needs, assist with personal care as required or needed, etc.
7. Nurture the philosophy of L’Arche in the residence; encourage a sense of hospitality and spirituality within the residence; encourage and facilitate exchange visits (through mailings) with other L’Arche communities.
8. Accompany Core Members on vacations and other occasions of extended travel.
9. Treat all Core Members with the dignity that their being deserves. Foster among friends and associates that same sense of dignity and respect for all people with disabilities. Be aware that the Assistant’s own conduct, appearance and attitudes may have direct negative repercussions for the Core Members and/or the entire Community.
10. Assistants who live in the home will be expected to respond to Core Members during sleep hours, as the need requires.
Qualifications
1. In general, Assistants will be secondary school graduates. This may be waived for individuals with outstanding vocational experience, or for other such reasons.
2. Assistants should display the ability to live harmoniously in a community with people with developmental disabilities and with other Assistants.
3. Assistants should possess the ability to be certified in the required topics: Basic first aid and CPR, administration of medications, any other topics required by L’Arche Training and certification must be completed within a three-month period after joining the Community.
4. Assistants will be asked to increase their knowledge of the L’Arche principles and ideology and to exhibit a desire to carry out these principles.