Search Results for 'Galway Simon'

The realities of life on the streets, sleeping in doorways, in old sheds, in dark damp corners where the ill-wind blowing in from the bay always finds a way to find you. Living a half-life in the half light of a city that you think doesn’t care. You walk through the streets, almost invisible. If they see you, they don’t look for fear you will ask them for something they cannot give, like time, or a kind word, or a smile.

Homeless charity Galway Simon Community has warned that the homelessness crisis is worse now than at any other time in the 40 years since the organisation was founded — and it fears it will continue to get worse before it starts to improve.

The Simon Community takes its name from Simon of Cyrene who helped Jesus carry the cross. It was founded in London in 1963 by Anton Wallich-Clifford and a branch was set up in Dublin in 1969. Early in 1979, Frank O’Leary OFM spoke at a meeting in Galway entitled Poverty in Ireland about the work of Simon in providing shelter, friendship, and acceptance to homeless people. Two psychology students, Margaret Brehony and Kathy O’Grady, drew attention to the fact that there were rough sleepers in Galway too.

Local homeless charity Galway Simon Community is calling on people in their local community to join them in marking the organisation’s 40 years in Galway.

Local homeless charity Galway Simon Community is calling on people in their local community to join them in marking the organisation’s 40 years in Galway. The charity is inviting past and present clients, volunteers, staff and supporters of the organisation to join them to mark their contribution in helping to prevent thousands of people from homelessness locally. The event, Marking 40 Years of Galway Simon, a culture evening of storytelling, music and art, will take place on Thursday 17th October at 7pm in The Ardilaun Hotel in Galway.

The Galway into which Galway Simon was born four decades ago was much different from the one of today. Back then, the city was just throwing off the shackles of a market town; its foray into the process of becoming a centre of art and culture still in its diapers. At the time, Galway was still a magnet for those drawn west by the setting sun and hopes of a different life.

Instead of celebrating a landmark four decades since their establishment, Galway Simon announced this week that it has never been busier as the ongoing housing crisis eats into its resources.

Relying on the private rental sector is "not appropriate" for delivering social housing, or tackling Galway's accommodation crisis, especially as there are no properties available to rent for people on Housing Assistance Payment or on rent supplement.

Galway Simon Community is calling on the people of Galway to show solidarity with those experiencing or at risk of homelessness by sleeping out on Friday October 5.