Above: Luke shows off a piece he created alongside other core members at Creative Connections.
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.
Working with my schoolmate on projects like the concept map with Creative Connections also helped me understand how important shared activities can be in bringing people together. It was not just about creating something for an assignment, but about helping create opportunities for interaction, enjoyment, and inclusion. Watching how creative activities could encourage conversation and laughter showed me how meaningful those moments can be. Our work connected to L’Arche Connects, working on a community cookbook, and discussions around things like transportation, accessibility, and health also gave me a better understanding of some of the real challenges people can face in daily life. Hearing about these issues in a community setting made them feel more real than simply reading about them in class.
The projects connected to the concept map and cookbook, and volunteering for the gala and the Germain Street Open also showed me another side of what community means at L’Arche SJ. These were not just events or ideas to organize—they reflected pride, identity, and a way of bringing people together. I started to see how much thought goes into creating opportunities where everyone’s contributions are valued. What stood out to me the most was that the focus was always on what people could bring together, rather than what they could not do alone. That really changed how I thought about inclusion because it felt natural.
This experience also influenced how I think about nursing and the kind of nurse I want to become. It reminded me that care is not only about tasks, treatments, or clinical skills. A lot of care happens through listening, showing respect, and making people feel seen. Spending time at L’Arche SJ made that very clear to me. The core members taught me that sometimes the most meaningful thing you can offer someone is simply your time, your attention, and your willingness to connect. That is something I know I will carry with me forever.
Luke Ortiz-Munoz
Nursing student at UNB Saint John