Fw: L'Arche Chicago looking for new assistant

[Guest guest]

Hi all:

I am passing this on in case any of you are interested in this position, or know

of others who may be interested. It occurs to me that recent college graduates

with teaching degrees, who are having difficulty finding a job, might be perfect

candidates, along with others who are still trying to figure out what they want

to do with their lives...

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

L'Arche Chicago looking for new assistant

Hi, Ellen,

L'Arche Chicago is looking for an additional assistant. We are screening

applications through our local and national website. I'd like to get the word

our more, though, around the Chicago area. In addition to the description from

our website, below, I have attached the long and the short version of the more

detailed role description for assistant. I would be grateful if you would

consider disseminating this on IPADD. I am happy to talk about/create a

different format if such would work better for you.

Thanks

Become an Assistant

The role of assistant is diverse, and most people find their time in a

L’Arche community to be life-giving, challenging, and fun.

Online Assistant Application--please visit our website at

www.larchechicago.org

What is a L’Arche assistant?

At L'Arche, persons with a developmental disability are known as " core

members, " and “assistants†are those who come to share life with them.

Assistants accompany core members in their activities of daily life: creating

home and supporting core members in sharing their gifts within the house and the

larger community.

What do assistants do?

Assistants work to build a relationship of mutual care and support with

persons with disabilities; foster a home life of unity, mutual respect and

participation by all members; and provide direct care supports and skill

building for core members: personal care needs, money management, medical care,

appointments, family and work connections, household chores, laundry,

medications, meal preparation, and transportation.

Who becomes a L’Arche assistant?

For us, some of the most important criteria are an open heart, willingness

to learn, commitment to personal growth, and belief in the unique sacredness and

value of every individual. Assistants can range in age from the early 20s on up.

Assistants come to L’Arche from all stages of life: after college, as a shift

from a previous career, or after their formal career. As an international

organization, we also often welcome assistants from other countries, which can

add a unique cultural diversity to our communities.

Do I need special training to be an assistant?

Some people who come to work in L'Arche have experience working with

people with disabilities, but most have not. The first requirement is that

applicants have a desire to share life together in a faith community setting. In

addition, one must be able to perform the duties as outlined in the assistant

role description, e.g. , as a caregiver for people with disabilities. Besides

training in skills for caregiving, L'Arche provides educational experiences on

broader topics that help its members to reflect on their vision of humanity and

to grow in their relationships with others. It does so believing that the

quality of life of the people with developmental disabilities is directly

affected by the way caregivers think and relate and the view of the world that

they hold.

Qualifications to become an assistant?

Assistants must be at least 18 – 20 years old, depending on the locale

of the L’Arche community. Additionally, qualifications include:

• College education preferred

• Interest in living in a faith community founded on the Beatitudes

• Desire to work with individuals with disabilities ( Experience with

people with disabilities is not a requirement)

• Creativity, flexibility, attention to detail, and ability to organize

time

• Verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to work as part of a team

What sort of commitment does L’Arche ask of assistants?

Most assistants dedicate a year or two to L’Arche, although some of our

communities welcome assistants for a shorter period of time. Some assistants

also choose to renew their commitment at the end of that time. Because of the

nature of L’Arche, building and fostering intentional relationship and

community, a year or two offers community members time to settle into life

together. There are also assistants that build a long-term home at L’Arche.

The decision to continue living L’Arche is a thoughtful process for each

assistant made with support from their peers, community coordinators, and others

who surround the assistant in community.

To fill out and submit the Assistant Application, please click here.

Instructions

Please fill out this basic L’Arche application thoughtfully, being

careful to include any information that will help us understand your interest in

becoming an assistant. You can submit the completed application via this

website, or by email,

What to Expect

You should hear from someone in the L’Arche office within five business

days of submitting your application letting you know if you are invited to

continue to the next application review and offering some additional information

about L’Arche. You will be asked to fill out a more detailed application, you

may set up a time to visit the L’Arche community, and you will discuss setting

up an interview for the assistant position.

andra Conroy Baig

Executive Director and Community Leader

L'Arche Chicago Office: 2010 W. Carroll Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612

Office:312-226-1273 Home: 773-287-8249

" The secret to l'Arche is relationship: meeting people...heart to heart " .

Vanier

Visit us on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 1049 S. Austin Blvd.,

Chicago