L’Arche Stratford’s Be Belong Become Campaign nears reality with upcoming Walk ‘n Roll event and successful community golf tournament

Christopher Cantlon, chair of the events committee at L’Arche Stratford, stands in front of the grounds of the long awaited 426 Britannia St. building project. 

Stratford’s community are welcome to join the Walk ’n Roll event to support Be Belong Become capital campaign and supporting the construction of a new 15,000-square-foot community hub at 426 Brittania St.

With $14,700 raised during the summer’s annual community golf tournament and the Walk ‘n Roll coming up on Oct.18, L’Arche Stratford continues the momentum to finish their building project.

“We’re aiming to raise $15,000 from our tenth Walk ‘n Roll event, all the funds raised will go towards the Be Belong Become Campaign to support the new building at 426 Britannia, which will make a world of difference and will mark a generational change for people with developmental disabilities,” said Wendy Gray, fundraising leader at L’Arche Stratford.

“We’re still quite a ways away from our goal but the board of directors is confident enough with what we’ve raised to begin the construction of the building.”

L’Arche Stratford will host the Walk ’n Roll on Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. at the Bandshell of Upper Queens Park and surrounding area. The walk itself will only take roughly an hour, with beverages provided, but the donation period will take place over the course of the entire month.

The building, which will have eight living units and additionally office space for core members, is due to open its doors in fall of 2026, according to chair of the events committee at L’Arche Stratford, Christopher Cantlon.

The new building will grow the operations of the organization, which is supporting individuals with developmental delays. Not only will the new building include housing units and office space but there will be more room for engaging activities and programming that residents and outside supported individuals can participate in. 

“Everything is much more contained and present to what’s going on in the community and it’s also going to be a very beautiful building. We got the foundation laid and it's sealed, the masonry work has started, and development is well underway,” said Cantlon. 

Cantlon said that this project is about promoting awareness of L’Arche’s work, as well as bringing all people together and making an environment where everyone is comfortable, seen, heard and valued. 

“The community has been very helpful and really supportive. We have fantastic donors and everything helps,” said Cantlon. “We have also been hugely supported by government agencies with all sorts of grants and funding. We have been able to raise enough money from the community to get this project going.”

Cantlon says that programming covers a range of different activities from art, music, games, cooking and other social activities, which will be enhanced through the new building space. 

“Beyond the building, we want to keep going and I think this will be a real inspiration for people beyond the L’Arche community,” said Cantlon. “Our contributions will become more visible from just being present, it will also help other communities and services that provide help for people who are needing it, increasing the human level for Stratford and beyond and helping people to be better people.” 

For more information on how to register for the Walk ‘n Roll, call 519-271-9751 or email admin@larchestratford.ca.