Over 30 years ago Sr Stan founded Focus Ireland in the parlour of the old Stanhope Street Convent. It is now the largest organisation working with homeless people in Ireland. Focus Ireland works with people who are homeless or are at risk of losing their homes across Ireland offering individuals and families advice, support, education and housing to help people to have and keep a home.
Focus Ireland believes that everyone has a right to a place they can call home and campaign to address the causes of homelessness. It now supports single adults, families and young people – especially people with complex needs. Focus Ireland delivers services in Dublin, Limerick, Clare, Sligo, Waterford, Cork, Kilkenny, Kildare and Wexford, with nearly 325 full time, part time and FAS staff; 8,000 individual donors; 350 corporate supporters and hundreds of Volunteers.
In 2014
- Over 11,000 men, women and children accessed Focus Irelands services
- Focus Ireland provided advice & information to over 5,000 people
- Supported over 360 households to secure a home – or prevented them from losing one.
- Own/managed 617 housing units and provided support to 460 households with long term support needs
- Provided 55,000 meals in Dublin (avg. 190/day)
- Engaged with over 1000 people through street outreach (now Housing First)
- Worked with 150 under 18 year olds in CISP
- Provided over 60 children childcare/after school support
- Provided 124 young people and 26 families supported temporary accommodation
- Provided short-term accommodation to 64 families and single adults, and 21 u18’s as part of our Off-the-streets service.
- Supported 300 people in (PETE) Education
- Worked with 107 people through Prison InReach
- Worked with 66 young people in Aftercare Residential services and provided an Aftercare support & settlement service to 200 young people.
- Raised €6.3 million though the great support of donors, corporate support and by people taking part in – or holding – events in aid of Focus Ireland. 89 cents from every euro received spent on services to prevent and tackle homelessness.
The Difference a Home Makes
For Focus Ireland customers, the move to a home brings a sense of belonging in community, regaining their dignity and confidence. As the economic situation worsened, people seem to realise more than ever that a home is more than bricks and mortar. Home is a place for people to live with their family, a refuge, somewhere safe for children to play and to grow up. The deep human need for a home links all of us together.
Sr. Stan with the High Hopes Choir and staff of Focus Ireland in Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, celebrating 30 Years of Focus Ireland
