For many families, “home” means more than services—it means connection, belonging, and being part of a community.
At Imagine!, we hear this clearly from the individuals and families we support. As needs evolve, many are looking for living options that offer not only high-quality supports, but also deeper connection, shared experiences, and a true sense of belonging.
That’s what led to a new partnership with L’Arche NOCO—an opportunity to expand how we support people in living meaningful, connected lives.
What Makes This Model Different
L’Arche is a global network of communities where people with and without intellectual disabilities share daily life together. In these homes, individuals with intellectual disabilities—known as core members—live alongside assistants, building relationships through everyday routines like sharing meals, celebrating milestones, and supporting one another.
For families, this offers an additional option—one that combines strong, reliable supports with a home environment centered on connection, consistency, and belonging.
How the Partnership Works
This partnership brings together two complementary strengths.
Imagine! provides the professional supports services that ensure individuals receive relational, high-quality, person-centered care—including staffing, clinical expertise, operational infrastructure, and supported community connections.
L’Arche nurtures the shared life of the home—creating a community centered on relationships, mutual contribution, and belonging.
Together, this model blends strong supports with a deeply human approach to daily life.
“L’Arche communities are built around shared life and belonging,” said Dustin Barrington, Executive Director of L’Arche NOCO. “Partnering with Imagine! allows us to nurture that community while ensuring the professional supports are in place to help the home grow and flourish.”
Looking Ahead
The partnership will begin with a single home and supported community connections in Fort Collins—walking alongside people as they build friendships, discover meaningful activities, and experience belonging in their community, with opportunities to learn and grow from this model over time. Interest in this model has been strong, and there is currently an interest list for the home—reflecting both the need for more relational, community-based living options.
By building on the strengths of both organizations, Imagine! and L’Arche aim to expand opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live connected, meaningful lives in community—while continuing to listen, learn, and evolve alongside the families we serve.
