International Volunteer assistant
Code: 086b93cd-4967-11e9-ae12-0242ac110024 Copied
About the project
International Volunteer assistant
📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The association is a community in which adults with and without intellectual disabilities share life: their presence, faith, activities, joys, and sorrows. In this community, assistants come to live for a year or more with core members (adults with intellectual disabilities) in family-style homes on Chicago’s west side and suburban Forest Park. They committ to maintaining a respectful, life-giving and welcoming environment in the homes as well as providing necessary supports to the core members.
💼 What the programme involves
After a week or so, assistants are trained to be state-certifed DSPs (Direct Support Persons) who are qualifed to support core members. This training also includes medication and behavorial training. The frst month in community is considered an introductory period; continued service as an assistant is contingent upon successfully passing all training, as well as a mutual discernment that L’Arche Chicago is a good and life-giving ft for the assistant.
Weekly assistants meeting, which include a monthly time of formation to reflect and savor what is being lived personally and communally
• Community accompaniment, by which an assistant meets monthly with a community accompanier/companion that provides a listening and supportive ear
• Functional accompanient, by which an assistant meets periodically with their house coordinator to touch base on how the day-to-day practicalities of the assistant role are working out
• Retreat opportunities and pastoral care
• External resources (counseling, cultural and leisure opportunities in the city, etc.)
🏠 Accommodation on site
Assistants are generally asked to share time with core members morning and afternoons/evenings, with some overnights (not awake). They are given two consistent and consecutive days of time away, during which we encourage them to fnd places of rest, nourishment and enjoyment outside of the community.The association assistants each have their own bedroom and share other house areas with the other assistants and core members.
📍 About the location
The volunteer will live with other member's of the association in three homes on Chicago’s west side and suburban Forest Park. Angel House is located in Chicago, near Oak Park (where our offce is located), while both Peace House and Friendship House are located in nearby Forest Park.
Our core members are quite active around the city, so you will get a great experience of Chicago simply by being part of community. You can also enjoy city sights during your time away. We are located on a bus line and train line that goes downtown in 30 minutes, which is ideal for exploring. Chicago is very rich in opportunities for culture, education, recreation, worship, food and entertainment. Oak Park and Forest Park have a variety of restaurants, cafes, libraries and local shops. We are located near a large city park, with numerous trails and Forest Preserve Districts further west.
ℹ️ Additional information
This project is for a minimum stay of 12 months.
Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.
Sign in to apply📅 Available sessions
US-AR-19
01/07/2019 → 01/07/2020
ℹ️ Key information
Age required
18–99 years old
Solidarity donation
0.00 EUR
French tax residents may be eligible for a tax reduction of up to 66% of their costs (membership, plane tickets, solidarity donation).
📍 Location
1011 Lake St #403, Oak Park, IL 60301, USA
United States
🌍 Location info
Local currency
United States Dollar (USD / $)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.895608 EUR
Rate as of 31/05/2026
Timezone
Central Standard Time
Local time: 21:38 (12/11/2026)
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🗣️ Languages spoken