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During the 1960s, Gerry McAuliffe made a life-changing discovery when she volunteered with L’Arche, a newly-founded community for persons with developmental disabilities in a small village in France.
Founded in 1964 by Jean Varnier, L’Arche seeks to create homes and provide meaningful work for all community members in an attempt to create a world where everyone, regardless of ability or disability, is recognized as being of equal value. Gerry was impressed with the L’Arche vision of community life rooted in faithful relationships with those who are easily marginalized. She soon became part of the community.
After nearly eight years in the service of the rapidly growing community of L’Arche, Gerry returned to the United States and brought the story and spirit of L’Arche to Chicago. She facilitated frequent gatherings to promote the spirituality, values and principles of L’Arche. At the same time she helped organize regular retreats designed to welcome persons with disabilities. She also arranged presentations by Jean Vanier. Through these retreats and gatherings, a dedicated ecumenical group of people formed with a desire to establish a L’Arche home in Chicago. Gerry led the group and worked with the national coordinator of L’Arche to open the first L’Arche home in Chicago in June 2000. The home has welcomed four persons with disabilities and three assistants who live together. Gerry served as the first President of the Board of Directors and continues to serve on its Board.
L’Arche has grown to more than 127 communities in 31 countries around the world and has gained international recognition from religious as well as lay leaders. It has evolved into an ecumenical organization welcoming all religious traditions and those with no tradition at all. Gerry also helped to organize Beacons of Faith, which provides spiritual and social opportunities for persons with disabilities in the Winnetka area.
Gerry received a B.A. from Barat College.
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