Summer Assistant Internship

L’Arche Boston North invites you to apply for our Summer Assistant Internship, where you would share life with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and other assistants while living in one of our five community homes.

What is an assistant?

L’Arche assistants are highly trained direct support professionals. L’Arche is unique because many of the direct support professionals live in the homes with the adults with intellectual disabilities (we call them core members). To be a L’Arche assistant is to be a friend. Friendships in L’Arche are genuine, mutual and meaningful. Assistants live and serve alongside core members to build an intentional and inclusive community where everyone can thrive. We serve one another and learn from each other through daily life. At L’Arche Boston North, we strive to make the ordinary moments of each day – cooking, going to the gym, attending appointments, going out for coffee – a bit more extraordinary by doing it together. We support each other to be in healthy relationships, to make progress on our goals, and live full and balanced lives. At L’Arche, every person’s gifts are embraced and celebrated.

As a community of faith, L’Arche assistants and core members share small moments of prayer and reflection with one another, and support each other to participate in the places of worship that each person chooses. As a L’Arche assistant, your own unique outlook on life will be respected, whatever your religion or philosophy; in return, we ask you to respect the spiritual dimension of L’Arche and other community members and where possible to take part in community celebrations. Experiencing daily life with those who are different to you provides an opportunity to discover how much you actually have in common! The diverse faith backgrounds that assistants and core members bring to the table strengthens L’Arche Boston North’s shared times of prayer.

What would I be doing?

When those with intellectual disabilities (core members) in the homes need support at doctors’ appointments, with medication administration, banking, and shopping, assistants are trained to support them. Assistants help with the implementation of occupational, physical, and behavioral therapies and maintain records and paperwork in compliance with the Department of Developmental Disabilities. You care for the homes, grocery shop, prepare meals and provide the necessary transportation for community integration.

There is no one profile of a person qualified to be a L’Arche assistant. People join us from many different backgrounds and walks of life. L’Arche Boston North will provide you with the necessary training to thrive in your role, as well as on-going development as it relates to both your role as a direct support professional and life in an intentional community.

Our Culture

• Active, compassionate and approachable management and leadership
• Lower staff to client ratios

Usually 1:2, sometimes 1:1 in smaller size homes, with a maximum of 5 core members per home.

• Equal opportunities

Equitable policies, procedures, PTO requests, and team cultures that are fun and generous towards each other.

• Close like family

Our 5 homes gather at least two times a week to be with one another. Often 2 or 3 homes will make plans throughout the week as well for dinners, etc. We love being together!

• Above average DSP staff retention

We have a number of assistants who have been here for several years ranging from 3-20 years!

• Above average DSP salaries

Starting at $19.00 per hour with generous benefits, including health, vision, dental insurance, and retirement matching.

L’Arche Boston North is a place where adults with and without intellectual disabilities live together and share friendship, building a community strengthened by faith.