An uplifting and empowering evening, celebrating our diverse city and the power of coming together through music, is promised at An Taibhdhearc on Friday next November 3. The Migrant Collective Galway support the underserved in our community and are launching their annual Christmas Fundraising appeal with a show of diverse voices and a curated set list to reflect, celebrate and empower the audience.
The Migrant Collective Galway project serves up to 500 people per month, living in Direct Provision and emergency accommodation in Galway. The approach is simple; the collective asks families what they need, put these requests online for a network of 250 volunteers to access and donations are made monthly in person directly to these families across Galway. The asks are simple such as toiletries, clothing, household goods. This project seeks to be the conduit to serve the needs of migrants through community engagement and education. The Migrant Collective is a partner group within the AMDALAH AFRICA FOUNDATION (AMDAF ).
Following the release of the Mother & Baby Homes Report in early 2020, Laura McDermott and her twin sister Lisa, wanted to consider how to make an impact in Direct Provision, perceived by many as the modern-day mother & baby home. Starting small, the duo worked with friends to supply items to 11 families in January 2020. The project initially focused on the needs of expecting mothers and new born babies, but it quickly expanded due to demand to serve the needs of families living in Direct Provision in the city and county.
With increased scale and scope, the project moved to an online closed community operating completely cost free based on volunteerism and good will. The project is managed by sisters Laura and Lisa with Laura managing the back-end customer facing efforts directly with families and online requirements while Lisa manages the front end of donations and interactions with volunteers and families on donation days.
The project life cycle kicks off monthly and is tightly managed to serve as many families as possible through inventory/request management, volunteer communications and family interactions. The Migrant Collective Galway project also runs an annual fundraising drive which raises on average €20,000 per year to give vouchers to families at Christmas time.
The co-leads are also keen to upskill migrants who support the activity and have worked with them on career opportunities as well as PR/Media work through public talks, radio interviews, press releases etc. Dedicated career sessions have seen Galway based corporates, across a variety of sectors including medical devices, access employment, public bodies, and charity organisations, directly target recruitment to the migrant community. The project acts as a conduit to bring migrants and job opportunities together, helping to break down barriers and obstacles to employment.
The Together as One event will see special guest performers, including RISE Choir who are set to raise the roof, join singer Laura McDermott on stage. Powerful spoken words will weave throughout the show, to internally reflect how we can continue to work together as one, to make a difference.
Open to all, this not-for-profit event will take place in An Taibhdhearc, Middel Street, Galway on Friday 3rd November. Monies raised will be donated to migrants in Galway City & County. Tickets are available online from An Taibhdhearc at €20 plus booking fee, https://www.antaibhdhearc.com/events/migrantc ollectivegalway
Go Fund Me for Christmas Fundraiser available here: https://gofund.me/14d32a80
