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Supporting our Community: Learning Partnership with L’Arche Daybreak
Supporting our Community: Learning Partnership with L’Arche Daybreak
By HTS Students: Danielle Tang ’24, Megan Ly ’24, Chloe Guo ’25, Alice Leung ’26 and Stephanie Florescu ’25
Empathy is a key principle and overarching thread that runs throughout HTS, and the ability to comprehend, relate to and express one another’s emotions truly cannot be underrated. L’Arche Daybreak is one of the many organizations that we have had the opportunity to be acquainted with in our community; a very special place with core values rooted in empathy and compassion like our own. They are a faith-based organization that welcomes those with intellectual disabilities—aiming to promote individuality, foster relationships and celebrate what is unique and individual about every person.
Our journey with this organization began several months ago when we began exploring an exciting challenge called Make:Able. The objective of this challenge was to develop assistive technology using 3D printing that had been specifically designed to aid individuals who struggle with day-to-day tasks. Our group took this challenge one step further and looked for someone in our local community to connect with. This is how we came to have the privilege of meeting Mike at L’Arche Daybreak.
During our first visit, Mike shared with us that he was gradually losing mobility in both his arms and hands. Inspired, we began to work on an exercise wheel for Mike’s wheelchair which would focus on allowing him to strengthen muscles that he doesn’t often use. As a result, Mike visited the HTS campus where he received his own red magic wand. As the new year begins, we will be continuing to work closely with Mike to create a finished product that works for him.
The Graphic Design Club also teamed up with L’Arche Daybreak to help support their Walk for Hope. On May 13th 2023, over 350 participants walked for 2 or 5 kilometres to help support and raise awareness of the topics that surround those with developmental disabilities. One way that HTS has helped to support this campaign is by making signage for the walk. In total, the Graphic Design Club created 22 different signs with the help of artwork from those living at L’Arche Daybreak. A wonderful partnership.
Compassion is allinclusive. Compassion knows no boundaries. Compassion comes with awareness, and awareness breaks all narrow territories.
