Galway Simon Community has supported 1,045 individuals so far this year but there are so many others across the West of Ireland in need of their support.
Galway Simon has been providing services for over 40 years to those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in our community. The client is always at the heart of what they do and while every client and situation is different, one thing always remains the same – they always believe in people and accept them as they are. It can be so easy sometimes to dismiss or overlook someone just because they are homeless, but amazing things can happen when you look past a person’s situation and circumstances. When you see them as a human being. When you believe in them.
Ambassador of Galway Simon’s Christmas Appeal, “Liam” (not his real name ), has been supported by the charity over the last number of years. He bravely shared his story and explained that Galway Simon Community saved his life.
“When I was 17, I left foster care and had nowhere to go, I was alone. By my early twenties, I had started to spiral into addiction, and this led to a relationship breakdown. A lot of my friends were in the same situation, but they had their parents and a home to rely on. I was couch surfing with various friends, but you can only do that for so long. I was homeless and I knew I needed help”, Liam said.
“Thankfully I was introduced to Tom at Galway Simon Community and that’s when things started to get better. It was a bumpy road but Tom and the staff at Galway Simon have always believed in me, and been there for me. They helped me to deal with so many things in my life including getting sober, but best of all, they’ve helped me get somewhere that I can call home. I’m so grateful to Galway Simon Community. They believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. They saved my life”, Liam added.
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been severe across our community, and it has been especially difficult for so many vulnerable people facing the prospect of homelessness. If you are in a position to, please consider giving a gift to Galway Simon Community this Christmas, so that they can be there for others like Liam who need their help.
