Cha’Lita Willie joined L’Arche Greater Washington, D.C. as an assistant a year ago and recently became a Home Life Leader at Highland House in Arlington, Virginia. We asked her what working at L’Arche has taught her about care, friendship, and why getting woken up by Hazel matters.
This interview is part of our Giving Tuesday 2026 campaign, “Because ______ matters.” We’re inviting 250 people to give for what matters by December 1. Some responses have been shortened for length.
Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to L’Arche.
I was nervous to start [working at L’Arche]… I have people in my family with disabilities, so I know how to care for people in a personal sense, but I’d never done it professionally. So I was like… this is going to be interesting… and it’s more than 1 person at a time, so I was like… How am I going to balance food, conversation, hanging out, but making sure medical needs are met as well. And I learned I’m going to have to do transfers and I was like, “Mmm, I’m kind of small, so how are we going to figure this out.”
I appreciated the shadowing first, because I had relationships with people before I had to physically help them.
Cha’Lita pictured with her 2026 NOVA DSPY Leadership Award.
What have you learned at L’Arche that you hope more people could experience?
I’ve learned that people with disabilities lead lives. Like actually. My aunt was severely disabled. But seeing core members… it opened me up. They do stuff, just like I do. Which I, of course, knew, but experiencing it is different than knowing it.
What do you find yourself caring about more because of your experience at L’Arche, if anything?
Making sure that people are treated properly. Because my job is to make sure that their needs are not only being met, but that they’re happy while their needs are being met. And it translates into my personal life… like with my sister and school. Being a place to vent for her. I have to remind my brothers she’s experiencing something they never would have thought possible [going through school in a post-pandemic format]. So just being mindful of that. Leaving space for difference. People fear what they don’t understand or haven’t experienced.
Who or what at L’Arche has changed you, surprised you, made your life richer?
Eric because of the care. He’s a big foodie and I’m not a person who likes to eat all the time. He’s learned that so at mealtimes, he’ll ask what are you gonna eat for lunch? The reciprocation of care.
Fritz, knowing when to slow down. A lot of times I’ll come in the house zoomin’ and he’ll remind me, “calm down.”
Think about a moment at L’Arche that has stuck with you… what mattered about it?
At the beginning of this year, some of our core members went through very big changes. We had a super big meeting about it, and I appreciated the space that was left for our feelings. …That is super important with this kind of work.
You filled in the blank with “Because getting woken up by Hazel matters.” Tell us more about that!
To me, it shows the mutual care and friendship. Once she asked for my number, I knew, “Ok Hazel likes me, Hazel considers me as a friend.” I consider her as a friend. Like I see… maybe because I spend more time with them, but Highland people… I see them as family members, as siblings. She has made it now a part of her morning routine [calling]… sometimes I do need to be woken up, or I just enjoy her energy first thing in the morning, because that is not me, first thing in the morning.
What is something about L’Arche you would miss if it weren’t here?
The community! I’m a very solo person. I am ok with being in the house and never seeing outside again. So I appreciate… not the forced conversation… but I appreciate having that community. At celebration [a regular gathering at L’Arche where we name people’s gifts and share memories]… sharing their gifts, it makes it easier to talk to people… I would miss that.
Thank you, Cha’Lita, for sharing your wisdom, care, and love with us. We appreciate you!
Give for what matters 💛
Friendship, mutual care, and the everyday relationships Cha’Lita describes are part of what makes L’Arche home.
This Giving Tuesday, December 1, help us rally 250 donors to sustain the homes, care, and shared life of L’Arche GWDC.
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