A Worldwide Movement
L’Arche International is a global leader in engaging, honoring, and celebrating people with developmental disabilities. L’Arche Atlanta is one of over 140 L’Arche communities in 38 countries around the world. From Japan to Mexico, Egypt to Australia, L’Arche homes are all united in the mission to build relationships among people with and without developmental disabilities.
The very first L’Arche community was founded in 1964 in a small village north of Paris, France, called Trosly-Breuil. The first U.S. community was founded in Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1972. Now, there are 25 communities throughout the U.S located in three regions. The communities gather at different times during the year for Regional Council meetings for Community Leaders, Board of Director trainings, assistant retreats, and Regional Gatherings that include core members, faithful friends and assistants.
As the national leader of our movement, L’Arche USA empowers local communities, champions advocacy for those on the margins, and celebrates the unique gifts of individuals with developmental disabilities to build a more human society.
This global network of communities is not only united by a shared mission, but also by the deep, personal impact L’Arche has in the lives of individuals and families, right here in Atlanta and around the word.
L’Arche Atlanta Does Advocacy
L’Arche Atlanta partnered with the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) to lead the now-completed Storytelling Advocacy Project, a multi-year initiative that used personal stories to drive disability rights awareness in Georgia. The project included *Hidden Voices*, a podcast exploring isolation and community during the pandemic; *6,000 Waiting*, a mini-documentary highlighting the urgent need for Medicaid waiver funding; and *Treasure Maps*, a six-city roadshow celebrating the lives and talents of Georgians with developmental disabilities. These creative efforts reached thousands, inspired advocacy, and helped bring real stories to policymakers and the public. Though the project has concluded, its impact—and the need for continued advocacy—lives on.
L’Arche by the Numbers
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88
552
535
29,174
65
16,422
14
Annual Report
Read about L’Arche Atlanta’s 2025-26 fiscal year and all the wonderful things we were able to accomplish in our 2026 Annual Report.
News & Stories
Discover the inspiring journeys and latest updates that bring our L’Arche community to life. Explore our news and stories today!
Donate Today
Donate one time or become a monthly donor and shine with us as a L’Arche Luminary, helping build a community where everyone belongs.
Making an Impact
Explore four inspiring short films from the Project Impact study, revisit the powerful stories shared during our 2020 collaboration with the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, and dive into the insights and milestones detailed in our 2024 Impact Report. Together, these resources showcase the lasting difference made through connection, advocacy, and celebration.
Annual Report
Each year, L’Arche Atlanta publishes an Annual Report to reflect on the impact of our mission, celebrate community milestones, and honor the generosity of our supporters. The report highlights stories of belonging and transformation, shares financial transparency, and recognizes the individuals and partners who make our work possible. It’s more than a summary, it’s a testament to the relationships at the heart of our community. Read our 2026 report.
2020 Storytelling Project
In 2020, the Storytelling Project entered production for the second season of the Hidden Voices podcast. In season two, we follow a local investigative reporter as she explores the experience of isolation and the pandemic while having a disability. It will be released in 2021.
We also created the 6,000 Waiting website to promote the film and encourage advocacy. We worked with the film production company, Sound Off Films, to complete a screening and marketing plan for the documentary film 6,000 Waiting. The premiere for 6,000 Waiting was January 26, 2021, and has since been screened more than 50 times.
Also in 2020, the Storytelling Project had a marketing campaign with Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB). The project has spots on GPB’s 13 television stations, radio channel, and website to let people know about the project.
The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, a federally funded state agency, works to bring about social and policy changes that promote opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities and their families to live, learn, work, play, and worship in Georgia communities. Learn more at www.gcdd.org.
Animated Series
From 2019 to 2021, six L’Arche communities across the United States took part in a national evaluation project sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation and led by Dialogues In Action. This thoughtful, two-year journey resulted in a 120-page report, a two-day virtual symposium, and a one-of-a-kind animated video series.
These four short films highlight the real stories and insights of core members who participated in the study, offering a creative and powerful window into life at L’Arche.
