Hello everyone! My name is Alexis Abbett, and I am a sophomore majoring in Business Finance. This is my first ABST trip, and I have truly been blown away by the experiences I have gained because of it.
Coming into this trip, I expected to learn about L’Arche Hamilton, but I did not expect to form such meaningful connections with the members who make up this community.
Every day has deepened my understanding of what inclusion, dignity and belonging really look like in action. Today was day five of our trip here in Canada, and it was such an eventful and meaningful day.
We have started most mornings by exploring local coffee shops in the area and rating different espresso drinks. It has been such a fun and simple way to bond as a group while also getting to know the city.
After coffee, we ventured to the Royal Botanical Gardens, where we met up with members from L’Arche’s day program. The gardens were absolutely beautiful, and everything was themed around The Wizard of Oz. We walked through the different areas and viewed the plant life.
Later in the day, our group separated into smaller groups to participate in activities with the day program members. My group had the privilege of celebrating a core member’s 84th birthday. They shared a slideshow filled with photos from the past year with moments of friends, staff and family. The memories reminded me how important it is to feel celebrated and valued at every stage of life. It made me reflect on my own family and how much I cherish the moments we document together. Seeing the intentional effort put into honoring her life reminded me that community is about recognizing each person’s story and making them feel seen.
In the evening, we participated in a trivia activity focused on disability facts. I learned so much during this session. It challenged some of my assumptions and made me more aware of the barriers individuals with disabilities often face based on different societal structures.
For me today, one of the most meaningful moments of my day happened during dinner; I had the opportunity to sit with two close “sister” friends from the community. During our meal, one of them showed us a book she had created about her family tree. She had carefully put together pages that displayed how big her family is and how much she loves them. You could tell how proud she was of it.
The time, care, and thought she put into creating that book was so beautiful to witness. Her willingness to share something so personal with us felt like such a gift. Throughout this trip, I am realizing that L’Arche is not just a place for the core members to live but a way of living. It is choosing patience, choosing celebration, choosing to truly see people.
Today especially reminded me that joy can be found in simple moments: a garden walk, a birthday slideshow, a trivia game, a handmade book. I am so grateful for the relationships forming here and for the lessons I am learning about inclusion, leadership, and humanity. I cannot wait to see what the rest of this trip brings for the following days!
Stay tuned in for more fun stories from your ABST Canada Trip Crew!
