L’Arche Jacksonville is seeking candidates for the position of House Assistant. To be an Assistant is first and foremost about being a friend. It is about sharing a home, sharing meals, sharing spirituality, and sharing the joys and challenges of daily life.

A rewarding work experience where you can share your talents with people with and without intellectual disabilities. Do you like to learn new things? Would you like to grow personally and professionally as you help to foster a community of people who celebrate the unique value of every person? Then this may be the job for you!

To be an Assistant is first and foremost about being a friend. It is about sharing a home, sharing meals, sharing spirituality, and sharing the joys and sorrows of daily life. Assistants live and serve alongside people with intellectual disabilities (Core Members) to build an intentional, mutually supportive community where every member is celebrated for their unique gifts, given an equal voice, and motivated toward a greater purpose. While committed to this mission, Assistants are also trained to offer direct support for the various needs of Core Members. This creates a distinct, formative experience in each person’s story that extends L’Arche’s message of both advocacy and hope into the larger community.

A desire:

To share your life with people with intellectual and physical disabilities

To help build a faith community founded on the Beatitudes

A willingness:

To participate in daily prayer in the house and during weekly services

To be part of a team, assuming responsibilities both in the house and community

An ability:

To communicate, both verbally and non-verbally and in writing

To perform practical life skills such as cooking, household management and driving vehicles

To be creative, flexible and a good time manager

If you are not from the US and don’t have a work permit you can still apply to serve as a year-long Volunteer Assistant. Click here for additional details.

No. Some people who come to work in L’Arche have experience working with people with disabilities, but most do not. The first requirement is that applicants have a desire to share life together in a community setting. In addition, one must be able to perform the duties as outlined in the assistant role description. Assistants participate in training and orientation required to meet state licensure, such as first aid and CPR, food handling, core competency and others. L’Arche Jacksonville also provides educational experiences and formation on other topics, including spiritual and personal growth.