Overview
We welcome Assistants to live, work, and learn together with men and women with intellectual disabilities in our communities across Canada. L'Arche strives to shape a more human and just society by offering people of different abilities a life changing experience of companionship, community, belonging, faith, and fun.
"Community Assistant" Role Description:
Assistant teams support core members (adults with intellectual disabilities) by sharing in their daily life. We cook and eat dinner together, get together with friends, participate in activities in our neighbourhoods, go on vacation together, and celebrate often.
Through sharing life in a L'Arche home, Assistants gain valuable life skills, opportunities for personal growth and self direction, as well as enhanced leadership abilities.
More than a job, we offer an exceptional and life changing adventure in friendship and self-discovery.
Schedule and Responsibilities:
This is a live-in position somewhat comparable to being a counselor at an overnight summer camp in that Assistants live with the people they are supporting. Assistants are scheduled to support the home 40 hours each week. There are 2 days off per week, usually on weekdays. Your days off are scheduled in advance and together with your other team members. Flexibility is needed in scheduling to accommodate special needs in the home.
Daily rhythm and responsibilities are much like in any household where members of the household require personal care support:
• Assisting Core Members with their morning and evening routines
• Assisting with bathing and using the toilet as needed
• Supporting Core Members in following the direction of medical professionals including administering medication
• Cooking & cleaning
• Grocery shopping
• Yard work as required
More importantly Assistants have the responsibility of building community by spending time getting to know people in the home, participating in the spiritual life of the home and community, sharing activities together, and learning about themselves and others as they discover that they can just be themselves and be valued and appreciated for who they are.
Opportunities:
o Each year L'Arche hires over 200 new Assistants to live and work in 30 communities across Canada
o All new Assistants participate in the L'Arche Leadership Development Program
o Many Assistants choose to stay at L'Arche for one or two years. There are also opportunities for longer term roles in leadership across the country
o There are opportunities to transfer to one of 154 L'Arche communities in 38 countries around the world
o Compensation and Benefits are provided. Assistant Roles are Full-Time.
Compensation:
Assistants are scheduled to support the home 40 hours/week. The starting salary for Assistants is the minimum wage of the provincial location. Deductions would include Federal Tax, EI, CPP, and Room & Board which varies by location.
Qualifications
o We hire people from a wide variety of educational backgrounds. Experience with caregiving or training as a Personal Support Worker is beneficial, but not mandatory for hiring.
o We are looking for people who are interested in building intentional community, who have an open attitude, ability to work as part of team, a desire to grow, and who want to make a meaningful difference in the world.
o Personal traits of creativity, flexibility, attention to detail, and ability to organize time and carry responsibility are important for the role of Assistant.
o Opportunities available in either English or French
o We will provide training for First Aid & CPR, Medication Administration, Crisis Prevention and Intervention (CPI), as well as orientation to specific personal care routines & disabilities. Formation in relationship building, vision and mission is provided through the L'Arche Leadership Development Program.
o Pre-employment requirements: Criminal reference check (vulnerable sector)
Contact
To find out more about L'Arche Canada and to apply, please visit https://www.larche.ca/apply.
Please submit CV or Resume with online application.
Application deadline is open.
Start Date: L'Arche hires year-round at our 28 locations across Canada. We are currently hiring for
summer (May-August) positions, as well as permanent positions.