I have been an assistant (or direct service provider) in L'Arche-GWDC over the last four years, an experience that has profoundly taught and transformed me because of the men and women with intellectual disabilities who are at the heart of our community and my home. The model of caregiving in L'Arche emphasizes mutual relationship and belonging, and in this spirit, offers its members - regardless of differences in abilities - the opportunity to live together, not as co-existing service providers and recipients, but as a family. In a society where people with disabilities are often marginalized and disenfranchised, this model is a radical departure from the norm and a sign of hope. 

Over the last week, students from Notre Dame University came to stay with L'Arche, volunteer with us, and learn about our community. On their departure this morning, they left a letter of thanks in which they reflected on their experiences here. The words "family" and "home" appear over and over in each note, reminding me that the model of L'Arche homes bears impact on people far beyond our immediate community. 

The proposed redefinition of "group homes" would make it no longer possible for L'Arche to function under its current model. Critically, it would take away the opportunity for people with intellectual disabilities to choose whether they want to live in an integrated home like those of L'Arche. This would be a loss not only for people with ID, but also for those of us who are "able" and have so much to learn from sharing life together. I urge our legislators to remove "who do not live in the home" from the proposed redefinition of "group homes."