When someone first inquires about an assistant's position, they are asked to complete an application form. They are also directed to our web site as well as the L'Arche USA website (www.larcheusa.org). Additional information can be sent out in the mail. How things proceed from there depends upon where they living. People who are local, are scheduled to come for an interview and a brief visit. People who live far away are encouraged to be in touch with us via email and phone calls.
If it looks like an assistant's position might be a good match for both the person applying as well as for the community, the applicant is invited to come for a longer visit. Before anyone is invited for a visit, their references are carefully checked. Generally such visits are anywhere between a weekend and a week. When someone is local, a number of shorter visits might take the place of one longer visit but a long visit is generally the best way for a person to get an idea of what life in community is like.
If a person is too far away to visit (usually that means in a different country), they are encouraged to visit the L'Arche community closest to their home. There are 130 communities around the world so this can usually be arranged without too much difficulty. In special circumstances, people can be invited to come to Irenicon as an assistant after a period of letters or emails and telephone interviews.
Criminal record checks are required both by the state and by L'Arche USA and must be completed before a person within the United States can join the community. Background checks are part of the visa process so this is not required for people coming from outside of the country.
A person coming to Irenicon is required to make a minimum commitment of one year. However, the first thirty days of a person's time living in community, is set up as a time of discernment for both the community and the individual. If, at the end of thirty days, the individual or the community feels that it is not a good match, the person leaves without concern for the one year commitment. In addition, there is a 90 day introductory period. If at the end of 90 days (beyond the initial 30), the community feels that there are significant difficulties, a person may be asked to leave at that time.
Irenicon seeks and enjoys a rich diversity of people from all walks of life from all over the world. However, a person applying from a country that we have determined is unlikely to grant a visa to an applicant, must first give evidence that they are likely to be able to obtain a visa before we can welcome them to begin the application process. This practical measure was taken only after spending a great deal of time working with applicants who were very disappointed when they could not obtain a visa.
