L'Arche Tahoma Hope

Welcome Center (pre COVID content)

Mission

The L’Arche Tahoma Hope Welcome Center is an integrated environment that celebrates the gifts of all people, with and without intellectual disabilities. We welcome individuals and families seeking a place for meaningful engagement. At the Welcome Center we invite everyone’s participation as we create a space where diverse neighbors in our community can find a place to belong.

About the Welcome Center

The L’Arche Tahoma Hope Welcome Center facilitates meaningful activities and classes for you and your family! L’Arche is an organization that supports individuals with and without intellectual disabilities. In summer 2018 L’Arche Tahoma Hope opened our Welcome Center where we are expanding our mission by connecting individuals with and without disabilities in the broader Tacoma community.

The Welcome Center is an open place where individuals and families can join us for engaging programs and relationship building. We offer cooking, art and science classes as well as dances, social yoga, games and other fun events. Check out our calendar for up to date information about our programs.

Membership

Become a Welcome Center Member! Our membership options include fun social events and inclusive classes for you and your family. Whether it’s cooking classes or dances, we engage individuals with and without disabilities in our programs. At L’Arche we value relationships and becoming a member will allow you to connect with friends.

Check out our calendar for a full lineup of our upcoming programs!

Visit our membership page to find out about  gift membership opportunities we have available.

Scholarships

If cost is a barrier to your participation, we have scholarship funds available.  Scholarships are prioritized for households with at least 1 member having an intellectual/developmental disability, and are available for up to 80% of the membership fee for Cosmos or Sunflower memberships.

To apply for membership with a scholarship:

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to RSVP for Welcome Center events?
Yes, in order to have enough materials and staff support we ask participants to RSVP for our classes and events. You can RSVP by emailing [email protected] or calling 253-535-3178.

Do you provide personal care for participants?
No, we do not have the staffing support to provide personal care or behavioral support for our participants. If you are in need of support, we ask that a caregiver comes to each program.

Do caregivers need to pay for the program?
No, caregivers who are supporting participants do not need to pay for the activities. However, if they would like to use another set of materials or eat food that is provided, we ask that they pay for the activity.

How do I pay for Welcome Center activities?
Participants can pay for each individual activity at the start of the activity.  We accept cash, check or credit card. We also have memberships, scholarships and DDA respite funding available.

Why should I become a member?
Memberships are a great option for paeople who want to participate in several activities each month. Visit our membership page for more information.

How do I set up DDA respite funding?
Ask your case manager if you have respite funding available. If so, ask to authorize L’Arche Tahoma Hope to bill for respite funds. Each month you will communicate with your case manager and with L’Arche staff to let them know activities you plan to attend.

Do you offer any scholarships for your programs?
Yes! We do not want cost to be a barrier to your participation. We offer scholarships up to 80% for individual activities. To apply, fill out an online application, email [email protected] or call 253-535-3178, ext 107.

What if I have ideas of activities or teachers?
Please share them with us! Feel free to email [email protected] OR call 253-535-3178, ext 107.

Read Reflections from the Welcome Center