Supporting the Homeless

Supporting Transition from Homelessness

We found, as a result of discussions with Threshold in 2006, that there was a need to provide household items such as cutlery, crockery, kitchen utensils, bed linen etc. for people moving from hostels to private accommodation. We receive €15,000 annually from one sponsor for this project and this is divided equally between Threshold, Simon and Focus.

We raise a further €2,500 for The Salvation Army, York House. This is sufficient to provide “New Home Kits”, valued between €100 and €250 each for 80/100 people and we continue to help the same number of people in this way every year.

We could do more if we had more sponsorship, We are a Registered Charity No CHY 15707. All contributions go directly into our projects and administration costs are paid by an annual levy on our members. Below are some quotes from the 4 named agencies:

Alan Dodsley – Manager – Threshold Access Housing Unit

“Threshold’s Access Housing Unit sources accommodation in the private rented sector for people moving on from homeless services. Over the past number of years, we have received generous support from the Dublin Lions who have provided funding for our ‘Flat Out Kit’ – this comprises of groceries, household goods, cleaning products and baby care products for our clients as they move into their new homes. Our clients are on low incomes and have very little or no personal belongings and so are literally starting from scratch. The financial assistance we receive from the Dublin Lions is invaluable to the people we work with who are invariably delighted to receive the goods we provide and get their new tenancy off to the best possible start. We are extremely appreciative of the continuing assistance and on behalf of our clients, the main beneficiaries of this generosity, I would just like to say a big ‘Thank You’. “

Dublin Simon Community CEO, Sam McGuinness

“Having the Home Starter Packs from the Dublin Lions Club helps our service users have a much smoother transition from homelessness to independent living. We are extremely grateful for the support of Dublin Lions and the scheme continues to make a big difference to the lives of people accessing our services”

CEO, Focus Ireland, Joyce Loughnan

“Focus Ireland’s Prevention & Tenancy Sustainment Service has found this funding invaluable to the families and single people our staff work with as it helps to ease their transition from homelessness to having a place they can call home and feel safe in. This financial support greatly helps people we have supported to move on from homelessness to secure soft furnishings, flooring, safety items and general household items for their accommodation that many of us may take for granted but our clients would otherwise really struggle to afford.” Joyce Loughnan, CEO, Focus Ireland.

Major Marjory Parrott, Programme Co-ordinator, Salvation Army, York House

“Over the years, The Salvation Army York House has been very fortunate to receive generous donations from the Dublin Lions Club, specifically to purchase resettlement packs for residents moving out to independent accommodation. In this way, it has been possible to provide a good start for a number of grateful residents.Thank you for your continued generosity and compassion.
God bless you!”

Former Resident M. Penston

“The moving out pack I received when I left York House was so helpful when I moved into my new apartment, it meant I had one less worry about the move! I would just like to thank who ever is responsible for organising these packs!”

We also help the homeless by collecting shoes and clothing left for over 6 months for repair or dry cleaning and we deliver them to Alice Leahy of Trust , Bro. Kevin in Church Street and The Salvation Army York House.

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