The Festival Center is excited to share with you information on our amazing partners and building tenants. The work that these organizations do impact our city, nation, and world.
Get Connected.
What is the mission of your organization?
Make known the gifts of people with intellectual disabilities, revealed through mutually transforming relationships. Foster an environment in community that responds to the changing needs of our members, while being faithful to the core values of our founding story. Engage in our diverse cultures, working together toward a more human society.
What makes your work vital to Washington DC and the world?
People with intellectual disabilities are historically and currently kept hidden away – segregated from community life. They seen as the “other” that has only needs and no gifts to contribute. We believe all people are needed, that all people are gifted, and we can all belong and be known. We need people with intellectual disabilities in society. We also have a crisis of care for people with intellectual disabilities right now, so we are meeting very practical needs in supplying housing and support, while also providing a place of belonging for people of many backgrounds.
What is a recent accomplishment of your organization or what is something your organization is particularly proud of?
We have managed the continued dangers of the pandemic, which were a massive challenge to the disability community and group homes like ours, while remaining, safe, connected, supporting our core members and staff, and keeping our L’Arche spirit through it all.
How can others get involved?
You can volunteer! We have multiple volunteer options from yard work to cooking meals to spending time with core members on a regular basis. Email us at info@larche-gwdc.org
Why is having space at the Festival Center important for your organization?
For us, this will be a space of connection (learning and sharing resources) with local Adams Morgan community and other DC organizations. It’s a space to meet with our employees, core people, friends and families. There is historical importance, since L’Arche GWDC and the Festival Center share in being founded by the Church of the Savior. It will be a public place to share our mission and it’s also near by our community homes!
