Mid-West Simon Community Encourages Companies to Consider its ’42 Reasons’ Corporate Sleepout

Mid-West Simon Community invite participants to take part in their annual Thomond Park

Sleep Out, ’42 Reasons’, on 20th of October 2018.ha

Shannon Chambers is delighted to support Mid-West Simon Community in encouraging companies and their employees to consider taking part in this year’s Sleep Out.

The ask is that participants raise €1000 and join in a night of solidarity with those who are most vulnerable in the Mid-West region.

This year, Mid-West Simon are aiming to raise €42,000. This is the shortfall faced in operating the Family Hub and the Housing First Initiative. The core principle behind these two services is to offer a long-term solution to homelessness.

The Family Hub is a 10-unit accommodation in Limerick that provides intensive supports to families who have been living in emergency accommodation, many of whom have been through very traumatic experiences. The goal of the hub is move the families into long-term secure accommodation, where they will be offered tenancy sustainment support to enable them to remain in independent living. Since October last year, 13 families have been successfully supported into secure homes.

Housing First is a relatively new approach to helping solve homelessness. Housing First places a home as the first requirement before addressing any underlying issues. With the help of local councils, homeless people are supported into accommodation, they are then provided with tailored intensive support to maintain the tenancy. Mid West Simon’s Housing First initiative has so far had 100% tenancy sustainment. 

Last year, sleep-out participants were given an opportunity to test their kicking skills in Thomond Park, under the watchful eyes of Duncan Casey, JJ Hanrahan, Jack O’Donoghue and Ronan O’Mahony.

Participants also enjoyed a tour of the stadium from Duncan Casey and a thought-provoking talk on food poverty from Dr. Amy Healy, as well as refreshments and a chance to network. 

Hear what some of our past participants had to say here;

“I was delighted to be part of this project, raising awareness of the plight facing homeless people locally and to highlight the great work that the Mid West Simon Community undertakes”

– Stephen Keogh – Keating Connolly Sellors Solicitors

“It truly was a moving experience for both of us and certainly gave us the perspective to fully understand the issue. Thanks to you and your staff for looking after us on the night in question which as I say was a very memorable experience for all of us” 

– Donal Creaton – Holmes O’Malley Sexton Solicitors 

“It was an experience sleeping out in the tunnel that night. It was fun being with everyone of course but it was a real eye opener. The cold was harsh and I couldn’t help but think of anyone who has to face sleeping out night after night. It’s heart-breaking really to think of anyone having to sleep out – in the rain, in the cold – it must be so lonely!”

– Marie McSweeney – Northern Trust

“It was great to have this opportunity to be so close and personal with the grounds at Thomond Park but my lord was it freezing. You couldn’t h

Mid West Simon Community are once again inviting participants to take part in their annual Thomond Park Sleep Out, ’42 Reasons’, on 20th of October 2018.

Participants are being asked to raise €1000 and join in a night of solidarity with those who are most vulnerable in the Mid West region.

This year Mid West Simon are aiming to raise €42,000. This is the shortfall faced in operating the Family Hub and the Housing First Initiative. The core principle behind these two services is to offer a long term solution to homelessness.

The Family Hub is a 10 unit accommodation in Limerick that provides intensive supports to families who have been living in emergency accommodation, many of whom have been through very traumatic experiences. The goal of the hub is move the families into long term secure accommodation, where they will be offered tenancy sustainment support to enable them to remain in independent living. Since October last year, 13 families have been successfully supported into secure homes.

Housing First is a relatively new approach to helping solve homelessness. Housing First places a home as the first requirement before addressing any underlying issues. With the help of local councils, homeless people are supported into accommodation, they are then provided with tailored intensive support to maintain the tenancy. Mid West Simon’s Housing First initiative has so far had 100% tenancy sustainment. 

Last year, sleep out participants were given an opportunity to test their kicking skills in Thomond Park, under the watchful eyes of Duncan Casey, JJ Hanrahan, Jack O’Donoghue and Ronan O’Mahony.

Participants also enjoyed a tour of the stadium from Duncan Casey and a thought provoking talk on food poverty from Dr. Amy Healy, aswel as refreshments and a chance to network. 

Hear what some of our past participants had to say here;

 

“I was delighted to be part of this project, raising awareness of the plight facing homeless people locally and to highlight the great work that the Mid West Simon Community undertakes”

– Stephen Keogh – Keating Connolly Sellors Solicitors

“It truly was a moving experience for both of us and certainly gave us the perspective to fully understand the issue. Thanks to you and your staff for looking after us on the night in question which as I say was a very memorable experience for all of us” 

– Donal Creaton – Holmes O’Malley Sexton Solicitors 

 

“It was an experience sleeping out in the tunnel that night. It was fun being with everyone of course but it was a real eye opener. The cold was harsh and I couldn’t help but think of anyone who has to face sleeping out night after night. It’s heart-breaking really to think of anyone having to sleep out – in the rain, in the cold – it must be so lonely!”

– Marie McSweeney – Northern Trust

 

“It was great to have this opportunity to be so close and personal with the grounds at Thomond Park but my lord was it freezing. You couldn’t help but think of the poor souls who sleep out in all weathers without the benefit of the thermal sleeping bags that we had! It is actually too scary to think about”

– Richard McGuire – Mazars

 

Your support for this event will help Mid-West Simon Community provide essential services for those in our community who need it most.

If you would like to book your place or have any other queries, contact jade on 0858878130 or jade@mwsimon.ie