The Midlands Simon Community is delighted to announce it has been successful in its application to the Dormant Accounts Fund and has been awarded €91,200 toward a new, innovative project to support people to move out of homelessness.
The application was made in consultation and partnership with the St Vincent de Paul hostels in Longford, and Tullamore Housing Association. The funding will be used to support services across the three organisations and across the four midland counties of Westmeath, Longford, Offaly, and Laois.
By consistently providing excellent value for money, and by delivering quality services which are person-centred and focused on supporting people to move out of homelessness, Midlands Simon has been acknowledged as a model of best practice in the sector.
Speaking at the announcement of the funding, Taoiseach Brian Cowen stated that “The reputation of Midlands Simon in dealing with homeless individuals is second to none. I am particularly pleased that the application for funding submitted with their partners the Tullamore Housing Association and St Vincent de Paul in Longford has been successful. I have no doubt but that it will be money well spent and will greatly assist people who want to move from crisis accommodation into long-term accommodation."
The award will be used to employ staff to work with people affected by homelessness and to support people to acquire the skills to move out of homelessness. People experiencing homelessness can face many other challenges such as loneliness, isolation, integrating into new communities, health and welfare issues, as well as difficulties with returning to employment and education. This vital funding will allow Midlands Simon Community to continue to enable all their service users to overcome these challenges while continuing to provide a much-needed voice for the most vulnerable in our community.
Funding will also be used to recruit and train new volunteers to work in the services of the three organisations.
