Aug. 3 was a day to celebrate as L’Arche Antigonish officially opened their new home on Hawthorne Street. The house is actually two homes with the front taking the name of Hope House and the back Dixie after Dixie McMaster, a person instrumental in getting L’Arche formed in Antigonish back in the 1970s.

McMaster was a resident at R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home at the time. There are doors connecting the two homes but both have their own entrance way and will operate as separate homes.The house is home to eight people with disabilities, all of whom will have their own private bedrooms.

“We’re so pleased to be here to officially open this new community home,” Gus Leuschner, executive director of L’Arche Antigonish said as part of his speech at the official opening ceremony. “We’ve worked with the department of Community Services to support people with disabilities in our community and we’re so appreciative of everyone’s efforts to make this home a reality.”

Following the well attended ceremony, Leuschner talked more about support which went into the new home. “It’s one of those days of celebration when you realize just how many people are part of the circle which has allowed this day to happen,” Leuschner said. “You realize that good things are always an expression of a group. That is what I’m living today, so I just want to go around and thank people. I guess the overriding emotion is… I’m just so grateful.” He said there were times a couple of years ago when he thought the plan would “go off the rails.” “That is when I kind of realized all I could do was my part and then see what happens,” he said. “And good things happened, but there were moments.”

L’Arche board chair Harvey Goldie talked about the large crowd of L’Arche members, including those from other communities, family members and supporters who gathered to help celebrate the day. “We’re very appreciative to have such a great crowd turn out,” Goldie said. “And we were fortunate on the weather. If this had been yesterday, it could have been a little awkward.” Goldie also said he was glad to hear the comments of Nova Scotia Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse regarding her’s and her government’s ongoing support for L’Arche. “We’re looking forward to working with them in the years to come,” Goldie said. The province invested $1.6 million in the home and, as Peterson-Rafuse pointed out in her speech, that money is part of $19 million her government has put towards more community living spaces, day programs and similar areas in a little over two years. “And some of these areas haven’t seen an influx of dollars in decades so I can stand here and be very proud of that,” the minister said.

Following the ceremony, Peterson-Rafuse took a second tour around the house where she talked to residents and their families. “It’s absolutely thrilling, I have tingles all over,” she said, relaxing in a living room of one of the new homes. “It’s very exciting to be part of a project that you know changes people’s lives. And not just for the individuals who now have a home to live in, but also for their families.”

In her speech, Peterson-Rafuse stated that the celebration wasn’t just for a new “structure,” but a real “home.” The line received a loud ovation from the crowd. “Because it’s truly a home,” she said, expanding on the statement. “You walk through the house and it’s like my home, your home and everyone deserves that. It’s not an institution, it’s a home and that’s the difference.” And while it was her Community Services department who played the biggest supporting role provincially, Peterson-Rafuse noted the important aspect with her government is having the different departments working closely together to make a positive difference for Nova Scotians. “Our departments have to be collaborative and I work closely with my fellow ministers,” she said, noting in particular the working relationship developed through the Better Health Committee.

Richard MacKenzie, richardmac@thecasket.ca