Learn all you need to know about L’Arche Heartland in Kansas City, KS with the information below.
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L’Arche Heartland
Skills Needed
Applicants who know ASL (American Sign Language) are highly desirable, along with those who are at least 18 years old. If you have driving responsibilities, you must be at least 21 years old with a clean driving record on a U.S. license.
Geographic Location
L’Arche Heartland is located in Overland Park, Kansas, just 20 minutes from downtown Kansas City. With a population of roughly 170,000 people, it has a suburban feel. Sports fans can watch baseball, soccer, NASCAR, and football while history buffs can check out local historical sites. We typically experience hot, humid summers and cold, drier winters.
Public Transportation
Public transportation is not easily accessible from the L’Arche community, but Kansas City, Missouri, has a frequent and dependable bus schedule.
Community Description
The majority of core members are young and very active in community-based activities. Two core members are medically fragile; one is facing challenges of aging. Out of the 17 core members who live in L’Arche only 2 are women. Most live-in assistants are mid-twenties to early thirties. We have 5 separate houses and two day service programs.
Community Strengths
We have a close-knit group of live-in assistants who gather for brunch once a week and have frequent interaction between the homes throughout the week. Long-standing traditions like weekly prayer nights bring the community together. There are only three or four core members per home with two assistants present at all times, which allows for close, mutual relationships between core members and assistants.
Community Challenges
L’Arche Heartland recently took over a day service program, providing activities for 35 people who have intellectual disabilities. We are working to integrate this program into the daily rhythm of the community. We are also working on communications and fundraising to build awareness about and find financial backing for the community.
What you should know before coming
Live-in assistants are scheduled an average of 55 hours per week, with time and half paid for anything over 40 hours. Assistants are expected to reside and share life 5 days per week with 11 hours a day of service to the core members or community. Saturdays are full of activities, aside from church Sundays are rather restful.
Contact L'Arche Heartland
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