Support sought for Christmas toy appeal
NOVAS INITIATIVES plan to remove more people from the homeless register in 2012 with an additional 32 new units at McGarry House, Alphonsus Street. In Limerick NI provides emergency accommodation to homeless men, women and families. In the meantime they have set up a Christmas toy appeal for children whose families are finding it hard to stretch their income this Christmas, and ask those experiencing difficulty, to contact them at 061 468033.
People who would like to volunteer their time, a toy, a small present, a hamper or a cash donation, to communicate with their head office at 1 Mungret St, Limerick.
Novas Initiatives support takes the form of immediate services like food, a warm bed, a listening ear as well as access to GP services, mental health services, addiction services and other therapeutic interventions.
It is the largest voluntary organisation in the Mid West working with those who are most marginalised in the communities.
Gaps are identified in service provision through working closely with those experiencing homeless and those who are dispossessed in society.
However when they started their ‘Street Outreach’ service two years ago, they had no idea how much of a necessary service it would become.
What commenced as a soup run one night a week in the city has increased to a full street outreach service five nights per week this Christmas, offering food and support to up to 15 people each night, many of whom are sleeping rough, squatting in run-down, abandoned accommodation or ‘sofa-surfing’.
This service is completely reliant on the commitment of volunteers as it receives no funding whatsoever from government.
2011 brought many unwelcome changes to the area of homeless provision.
Extreme funding cuts coupled with an increase in the numbers presenting to their services (46% of an increase in figures from this time last year) meant that resources were and will continue to be stretched to the limit.
