Above: From left, Gray, Adrian and Rachel at the podium at Building Community last year. We are eagerly planning this year’s event to be held on Sept. 10 with special guest the Honourable Graydon Nicholas and emcee, Michael Sadavoy. Please join us – tickets are on sale now at this link.
There’s a familiar saying that once you encounter a L’Arche community, it’s hard to ever really step away. The values, people and relationships have a way of capturing your heart.
In 2010, as we celebrated our 5th anniversary, the Honourable Graydon Nicholas – New Brunswick’s Lieutenant Governor at the time – was our special guest. It came as little surprise, but no less delight, that now 15 years later, he didn’t hesitate to agree to be our special guest at our upcoming gala, Building Community, on Sept. 10.
Graydon’s support of L’Arche in our earlier years built a relationship between our community and the Lieutenant Governor’s office that remains today. In fact, one of our favourite annual traditions to date is decorating the holiday tree at Government House. That relationship has remained a special connection for subsequent Lieutenant Governors, and members of our community, thanks to Graydon setting the path there.
Graydon is a Wolastoqey Elder, lawyer, and judge from Tobique First Nation, best known as the first Indigenous person in Atlantic Canada to earn a law degree. He became New Brunswick’s first Indigenous provincial court judge in 1991 and later served as its first Indigenous Lieutenant Governor. A lifelong advocate for Indigenous rights and reconciliation, he continues to inspire future leaders.
Joining onstage with Graydon will be our emcee, Michael Sadavoy. Michael is the Director of Membership and Business Support at the Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce. With decades of experience in media, sales, marketing, and broadcast communications, anyone who knows him knows he brings a strong focus on connection, community, and strategic partnership to all that he does.
Each year, Building Community brings together over 400 business and community leaders in the region to connect, celebrate inclusion, and build a brighter future with adults with intellectual disabilities at the center.
It’s an event many of our members look forward to – I get several requests to join me onstage for public speaking, April has already committed to helping with the silent auction, Patrick on the piano during the reception, and Kathryn at the coat check – just to name a few. Let’s not forget the unique art pieces on each table available for purchase by donation, created by artists with intellectual disabilities at our art studio, Creative Connections.
As a registered charity, we fundraise about 50 per cent of our annual budget – no small feat, year over year, yet we continue to be humbled by the generosity of the community that surrounds us, such as The McKenna Group’s faithful contribution as Presenting Sponsor.
This event is a big milestone towards that fundraising goal each year, helping ensure folks in our community receive the care, support and opportunities for belonging we all deserve.
I do hope you will join us. Tickets are on sale now. We sell out every year – don’t wait to get yours. You can learn more and secure your seat or table here.
We look forward to seeing you on Sept. 10!
With gratitude,
Rachel Vander Vennen
Community Leader & Executive Director