06/17/2026
As we celebrate 20 years at L’Arche Saint John, we are sharing 20 stories of people who have shaped our community.
Meet Luke, a UNBSJ Nursing student who started at L’Arche for a community clinical placement that quickly evolved into something more:
I first came to know about L’Arche Saint John when I was chosen to attend my community clinical placement with another classmate last year in the fall. When I first started spending time with L'Arche, I saw it mainly as part of a community learning experience connected to our group work, but it quickly became much more personal than that. From the beginning, there was something different about L’Arche. The atmosphere felt warm, welcoming, and genuine, and the core members made that obvious right away. It never felt like we were just coming in to complete a project. Instead, it felt like we were being welcomed into a space where relationships really mattered and where everyone had an important place in the community.
One of the biggest things I learned came directly from spending time with the core members. Starting with volunteering for the annual gala, their openness, honesty, and sense of humour made a strong impression on me. Even short conversations felt meaningful because they were real and sincere. I realized that connections do not have to be complicated. Sometimes, it is just about being present, listening, and taking the time to genuinely engage with someone. What surprised me most was how much those small moments stayed with me afterward, and how powerful that can be in everyday life.
Continue reading Luke’s story: www.larchesaintjohn.org/meetluke