IRON MINES, N.S. — Like many non-profit organizations, L’Arche Cape Breton’s fundraising efforts have suffered in the wake of COVID-19.
“We have a particular need to fundraise because our seven-day programs are not supported by government so we have to fundraise in order to pay utilities, supplies, heat, lights, just to keep the doors open,” said Josephine MacEachern, L’Arche development co-ordinator.
While L’Arche Cape Breton is licensed by the Department of Community Services and is funded for residential care services, the work programs and other initiatives are not financially supported.
The community normally holds two main fundraisers in the spring, Springfests in Judique and Membertou, as well as a Chowder Challenge at the Gaelic College.
“Between those three events we would take in between $50,000-$60,000 and this year we had to cancel all three,” MacEachern said. “We're trying to replace them with online events.”
Some core members and friends of the community have held Facebook fundraisers. They’ve had online auctions and a virtual concert.
“We're putting some funds together but it won't match what we typically take in,” MacEachern said. “It's a help but there's a lot of competition out there, everyone is fundraising because we all need to and we're doing it online.
“We've had to cut expenses, as everybody has.”
The money that is fundraised goes to support L’Arche’s work programs, which see core members employed in a number of social enterprises.
“These programs are really affected deeply,” said L’Arche executive director and community leader Mukthar Limpao. “The programs reflect the mission of L’Arche. “It's about making known the gifts of people with disabilities. It's about not just encouraging but advocating that people with disabilities contribute to society like anybody else.”
He noted that demand for housing is high and L’Arche can't meet all those needs, so they often direct people to their programs.
Currently, they're also fundraising to furnish their new Thomas House in Iron Mines.
“It's really trying to be creative … so that they can move into the home by December,” Limpao said.
“They can't just live in an empty home.”
“We realize we are in a unique time in our history,” MacEachern said. “We all want to support each other and help each other. People are helping us now — we are so, so grateful for that.”
For more information on how to support L’Arche, visit https://www.larchecapebreton.org/support/.
