Julie has a memory like an elephant! She remembers not just the year she came to L’Arche but the exact date: April 23. It was the birthday of a former assistant at Le Rameau, the L’Arche Montréal home where Julie has lived for 17 years.
This exceptional memory is what led Julie to become the person in charge of birthday celebrations at her home. People count on her not only to remember dates but also to lead community activities and sort the food donations from Moisson Montréal.
“I take care of the food for the homes every Wednesday,” Julie explains. “I sort things that go together, put them in the right sections, check the categories, like dairy products or meats, depending on what we receive. Sometimes I find surprises, like juice or … chocolate!”
Whether at the school she attends four days a week, in her community’s crafts studio, at the dinner table, in her room with her music, at Camp Papillon, or out and about with her mother, a common thread runs through Julie’s life: confidence. Julie believes in herself.
“Believing in yourself is fun,” she says. “It’s like hoping, hoping for what you hold in your heart.” Self-confidence can also help people embrace change.
“Before coming to L’Arche, I lived with my mother. I went to a community center, and that’s where I learned there were two openings at L’Arche Montréal. I visited both homes and chose Le Rameau because it was close to the studio and the offices. It was easier than using paratransit.”
“And if I’m still at L’Arche,” Julie adds, “it’s because we learn a lot of things and the food is always good!”
Asked about her expectations before joining L’Arche, Julie smiles and says she knew there would be vacations, outings, and trips. Since then, she has taken part in training sessions, visited other L’Arche communities, and discovered all kinds of activities that feed her passion for music and dance. Parades, shows, karaoke: Julie loves sharing the things she enjoys. “When you travel, exchanges happen,” she says simply.
For Julie, self-confidence is deeply connected to the heart. “It’s sharing what we have in our hearts; it’s what we offer with our hearts,” she explains. She talks about the volunteers who come to the home, the hugs exchanged, and the hugs her mother gives her. “Getting hugs gives you confidence in yourself, and confidence in others.”
Her mother remains very present in her life. Once a month, Julie spends a weekend with her. They cook, go grocery shopping, sometimes organize picnics, or plan new projects together.
“Pleasure is everywhere,” Julie says. At the crafts studio, at the home, with her mother, at school, even in a good meal! “Sometimes there are little spices in food that I love.”
Over the years, Julie has learned to go with the flow. At first, she needed to take her personal belongings to school; today, she leaves them at home and confidently participates in the activities. Always ready to help, speak in front of a group, or lend a hand, Julie is a natural in the community.
“Money doesn’t grow on trees, and self-confidence doesn’t either,” she says with a laugh. But listening to Julie talk about others and about her quiet zest for life, we understand that this kind of confidence is cultivated little by little, day by day – sharing a meal, singing a song, taking a trip, or just enjoying a hug.
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