Our United Dioceses of Dublin & Glendalough is supporting a programme called ‘A Place to Call Home’, which provides ‘next step’ accommodation and assistance for people emerging from Direct Provision. Our diocese has committed to raising €300,000 to support the Refugee Accommodation Programme being devised by the Irish Refugee Council. Through fundraising efforts by many parishes and parish schools (including our own), both awareness and funds amounting to €185,000 thus far have been raised. These monies go towards the essential renovations of properties secured by the Irish Refugee Council. To date, sixty people have been housed under this project, families have been reunited and children have a place to call home. As well as providing housing, this project assists people in accessing education, employment, financial advice, health services and language support.
The Revd Abigail Sines, a member of the steering committee for the ‘A Place to Call Home’ Diocesan Refugee Housing Appeal, spoke about the project at our Harvest Thanksgiving Services on 29 September. There will be a retiring collection for this project on the day.