On October 16, the spirit of community filled the air at L’Archetoberfest 2025, where old friends, new supporters, and dedicated advocates gathered to celebrate the heart of L’Arche Calgary – our people, our homes, and our future.
It was an evening marked by laughter, heartfelt stories, and a deep sense of belonging. From the moment guests arrived, the tone was set for a meaningful evening of connection.
We were honoured to welcome MLA Diana Batten (Calgary-Acadia) and MLA Samir Kayande (Calgary-Elbow), who spoke thoughtfully about building a more inclusive, compassionate Alberta. They expressed their appreciation for the work of L’Arche and shared their desire to continue connecting and advocating on our behalf.
Throughout the evening, we celebrated our 52 years of community life – a legacy of inclusion, joy, and deep friendships shared between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Community Leader and Executive Director Ani Hynes reminded us that while our homes may be aging, our vision for the future has never been stronger.
A heartfelt highlight was the story of Matthew and his mother, Wendy, who shared how becoming part of the L’Arche community transformed their lives – a powerful reminder of why our work matters.
We also unveiled “Home is Where Everyone Belongs” our bold new project to rebuild three of our oldest homes. These future spaces will be barrier-free, and designed for dignity and connection – ensuring our Core Members can age in place, safely and joyfully.
Board President Maureen Ross invited everyone to become long-term partners in this vision – one that will shape the next 50 years of L’Arche Calgary.
We’re so grateful to all who made the evening possible:
- Our incredible Core Members and assistants
- Our families and volunteers
- Our friends at Prairie Dog Brewing
- Generous donors and champions of inclusion
- Everyone who showed up, supported us, or simply believes in what we do
Thank you for standing with us. This is just the beginning – and together, we’re building more than homes. We’re building a future where everyone belongs.
Whether you were there or couldn’t make it, we invite you to watch the highlights in this short video to see why L’Arche Calgary continues to be a place where everyone belongs.
