Sleep out for Simon in Sligo
VOLUNTEERS turned out in their numbers on Friday night, sleeping out in the cold and wet - all in aid of the North West Simon Community.
Thanks to the genorosity of passing members of the public, the North West Simon Community continues to help thousands of people in the area who are experiencing homelessness, both invisible and visible.
The scale of the problem is daunting, but it is not hopeless. Things can change. The Simon Communities are, and always has been, a force for change. The charity has been working in this area for almost 50 years as advocates for the most vulnerable.
The Simon Communities understand the problem and can point to solutions – solutions that are within our grasp as a society if we seize the initiative.
The Simon Communities have three core solutions:
1. Prevent homelessness and keep people in their homes.
We need to keep people in their homes preventing homelessness from happening in the first place.
2. Rapid access to affordable, safe and secure housing and prioritisation for people experiencing long-term homelessness.
People need the security and safety of their own home. Addressing other issues or problems a person or family may be experiencing in their lives is much more effective when people have a place to call home. 3. Support in housing Support in housing is critical to the success of a Housing First approach and is vital to the sustainability of exits from homelessness.
It is also an essential part of homelessness prevention work. This support allows people to maintain their tenancies/ homes, improve their general health and well-being and seek education and employment opportunities if and when they choose to.