Jean Vanier has rarely worked alone. Throughout his life, his activities have allowed him to meet other thinkers, other people of action, and many well-known personalities. He was a friend of Mother Teresa and invited Henri Nouwen to live at L’Arche. He created L’Arche inspired by Father Thomas, and founded Faith and Light with Marie-Hélène Mathieu. In the 1970s, he had come to know Wolf Wolfensberger, a psychologist, author and researcher who developed the principle of normalization. All through his life, Jean worked hand in hand with psychiatrics and psychologists who not only helped him in community life, but who also had an impact on his worldview.

Today, his work is supported by thousands of individuals working in communities around the world.  Since L’Arche and Faith & Light were founded, thousands of people have been transformed by his message and vision, and by sharing community life with people with intellectual disabilities.