Our community consists of two homes within one mile of each other, with four adults with developmental disabilities, known as core members, and three assistants living in each home.

Assistants who live in the homes share life together, working to create a homelike environment for themselves and the others in the house. Assistants receive room and board, plus full medical and dental coverage and a personal stipend each month. Much of the life in the home centers around helping our core members with varied activities of day-to-day life. As much as they are interested and able, assistants participate in the planning, maintenance and administrative care of the homes and community. All of us share in the larger family of L'Arche to which we belong, attending training, retreats, and celebrations with the other L'Arche communities in our region and around the world.

The assistants agree to live and work cooperatively, seeking to act toward each other from a place of "no scarcity" and with deep respect for our equal dignity. Practically, this means to ask for what we want in our life together, to commit to hearing and sharing our concerns and appreciation, and to honor the unique person each of us is. A key focus of the community is our faith-based commitment. We share a strong belief in the giftedness of each person and the belief that in our relationships we can trust in the active presence of a living, creator God. All are encouraged to share their vision and hopes in this community and for one's own life. We go on retreats together, have time to pray and be quiet. We celebrate, laugh and cry together, cook wonderful meals, have guests, get upset and make up, all in the belief that this small group of people called Nehalem is quite beautiful in the "eyes of God."

Each of the persons with disabilities (core members) we have welcomed comes from very different backgrounds. Some have lived all their lives at home, in an environment filled with all the love and the struggles each of us receive from our families. Others come from institutions, bringing challenges and graces that are quite unique. Some have very little verbal language yet have developed a rich and full communication style of their own. Learning to "speak" to each other in each our own language is a key part of forming relationships here at Nehalem. All our core members need help, some more than others, in attending to the everyday things we take for granted: home care and cooking, self-care and hygiene, social skills and money management. Core members in L'Arche are developmentally challenged, not mentally ill. They face social adaptation issues and struggles, mostly because of how they have been treated in their past. Our commitment is to welcome core members who want to and can be in a home-like environment. The miracle of L'Arche is that in doing this, we find a gift of life and learning far beyond our expectations.

 On Wednesday, May 2nd, folks from both communities in Portland, Oregon, got together at the local Chuck E. Cheese pizza place to celebrate Cindy Leonard's 44th and Brian Kelley's 24th birthdays. They share the same birthdate, April 29th.

Everyone loves pizza and the festive atmosphere. Cindy even got the mouse's autograph, which made the evening complete for her. Everybody got game tokens and had a blast while that yummy pizza was baking. Our newest core member, Robyn Dowell, enjoyed the Pony Carousel. A fun time was had by all.

 This summer I found a new home while working and living in community with the people at L'Arche Nehalem. For two months I helped adults with developmental disabilities complete their daily tasks, but more important than that, we shared a home and built friendships that I will never forget.

Probably the most important aspect of a home is the relationships that are built within it. To get the most out of any relationship you must make yourself vulnerable. Because the core folks (the folks with developmental disabilities) cannot hide their disabilities as easily as most people, they are vulnerable.

I, too, had to become vulnerable. For me, this was one of the most difficult aspects of living in a community because before I came to L'Arche, I had never seen the benefits of being vulnerable. It did not take me long to learn. When I first came to L'Arche I was asked to help transfer Ben from his wheelchair to the car. I had never done anything like this before and was scared I would mess it up. As it happens, I didn't do so well and one of the assistants had to step in and help. Immediately I began apologizing, but Ben quickly tossed the issue aside with one of his favorite sayings, "Oh well." Because I opened myself up to the possibility of making a mistake, I learned of forgiveness.

CHANGE THE WORLD ONE HEART AT A TIME!

We invite you to consider joining our L'Arche Community here in Portland, Oregon We are a faith-based community where people with developmental disabilities and the assistants share their life and a home together. Our commitment and mission is to provide a "place to call home" for everyone living in our community, where the unique gift of each person is hornored and welcomed. At the heart of our life together are the principles of the Beatitudes and a desire to honor the "unrepeatable grace" that is present in the lives and gifts of each of us. We are looking for people to come and live in our homes, people with initiative, who are open to a diverse and stimulating life, people who want to work cooperatively in a faith-based community setting. Assistants receive room and board and a monthly stipend. Read the job announcement. Send us an email inquiry.

If you are in the area and would like to visit one of our homes, please call the office at 503-251-6901 to arrange a visit.

"L'Arche communities are open and welcoming to the world around them. They form an integral part of life in their localities, and seek to foster relationships with neighbors and friends...People with a mental handicap often possess qualities of welcome, wonderment, spontaneity and directness. They are able to touch hearts and to call others to unity through their simplicity and vulnerability." (From the Charter of the Communities of L'Arche)

• Live as an assistant in one of our homes.
• Volunteer your skills: house repairs, cooking, gardening, sewing, respite care.
• Support special projects with volunteer time (December Tree Sale, other fund-raisers).
• Participate in our monthly coffee house and/or special celebrations.
• Become a donor or monthly pledger to support our ongoing operational expenses.
• Spend time with one of our handicapped members to expand his/her relationships outside the home.

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