April 2009

The Blenz Cares program has provided L’Arche Greater Vancouver with an excellent fundraising strategy that is helping to raise funds for a designated project. Coffee and tea sales now represent about 6% of our project’s fundraising budget where we otherwise would not have had a source of funds. This percentage continues to increase over time and we predict by year end will represent between 15-20% of the overall funds raised towards the project’s goal.

The Blenz Cares program is helping our organization meet its fundraising goals. We are able to sell high quality coffee and loose leaf tea that our donors, and their families and friends, truly enjoy. We are proud to attach our label with the Blenz Coffee Co. As a result of our partnership, the Blenz Cares program also provides an opportunity for our organization to pool new donors. By selling coffee at events and through word-of-mouth networking, new and first-time donors are being added to our database. On each thank you letter and tax receipt we provide the opportunity for those donors to re-order and so we keep the cycle going.

Since we are concerned with marginalized people at a global level as well local, it was important that we partnered with a company that could offer an organic, fair-trade choice. We found that our customers were willing to buy coffee that met the criteria and Blenz was able to supply it.

Every time our donors enjoy their cup of Blenz coffee, they take heart in their purchase because they know it directly supports L’Arche Greater Vancouver, a place where adults with developmental disabilities and those who assist them live and create home together. Coffee time can also be a shared experience and because one of our core values is to create community, we consider our partnership with the Blenz Cares program to be linked to our mission.

L’Arche means the “ark” referring to the Biblical symbol of safety and refuge. It was also the name of the first home in France founded in 1964 by Canadian Jean Vanier. When Jean opened his home to two men with developmental disabilities from a local institution he inspired a large-scale social movement that has resulted in an International Federation with 135 communities in over 30 countries. The Globe and Mail recently named Jean as their 2008 Nation Builder because of his dedication to serve and learn from some of the most marginalized people in our society.

L’Arche Greater Vancouver celebrates its 35th Anniversary this year and was named ‘Not-for-Profit Organization of the Year’ by the City of Burnaby and the Burnaby Board of Trade.