Community Disability Services Professional Appreciation Week at L’Arche Calgary

This year, Alberta celebrated the second Community Disability Services Professional Appreciation Week! At L’Arche Calgary, we thrive because of the dedicated professionals who walk alongside our core members every day sharing life, building relationships, and creating community.

To celebrate this important week, we shined a spotlight on four incredible team members.

The first was Cyril.

Cyril is a dedicated live-in assistant at Annapurna house. She joined L’Arche Calgary in December 2022, drawn to the unique opportunity to build meaningful, personal connections with core members by sharing life together in the same home. What she values most is the sense of friendship and belonging that naturally grows from living, laughing, and spending time with core members both inside and out in the community. She believes it’s important to recognize those in this field because the work is both challenging and inspiring – it brings real impact by helping core members feel seen, supported, and truly part of a family.

Second, we highlighted Viktoriia.

Viktoriia is an Assistant to the House Leader at Kichiyak House and has been part of the L’Arche Canada community for five years. Her journey began in L’Arche Antigonish, Nova Scotia, and three years ago, she found a new home with us here in Calgary. Originally from Ukraine, Viktoriia speaks with deep gratitude about how L’Arche welcomed her when she first joined. What she loves most about life at L’Arche is the daily sharing and mutual growth, saying “I’m learning about core members, and at the same time, I’m learning about myself.” Viktoriia sees her work not just as a job, but as a meaningful journey of healing, self-discovery, and recognizing the unique gifts in everyone. She reflects that, as Viktor Frankl once said, every person has value simply by being born – and at L’Arche, she’s found a place where those gifts are not only seen, but celebrated.

Third, we celebrated Trevor.

Meet Trevor, a Day Program Assistant whose been at L’Arche Calgary since October 2023! Originally from Ontario, Trevor brings four years of experience in disability services and a deep passion for supporting others. He loves the spontaneous, people-centered nature of the day program and the chance to be his authentic self, bringing humor, creativity, and warmth to every interaction. Trevor values L’Arche’s global presence and sees his work as part of a broader mission to create respectful, inclusive spaces. He says, “we all deserve the same sort of respect, dignity, and love.” Thank you, Trevor, for everything you bring to the L’Arche community!

Finally, we shined a spotlight on Kathleen.

Kathleen is a Day Program Assistant who joined L’Arche in May 2023, bringing with her a background in elder care and a strong sense that L’Arche was where she was meant to be. What began as a feeling quickly grew into a deep appreciation for the sense of community and connection she found here. Kathleen values the strong relationships she’s built across the organization and the unique personalities that make each day memorable. Whether it’s a spontaneous moment of laughter or a meaningful conversation, she finds joy in the everyday. Her presence brings a grounded, genuine energy to the day program, and we’re so thankful for the heart she brings to her work!

Thank you to every dedicated member of the L’Arche Calgary community.