- Annual Crosscare fundraising appeal this weekend to support homeless, community and youth services and migrants and refugees
The impact of the global pandemic continues to effect those working with people in need, as demand on essential services increased dramatically in 2020 and funding decreased.
Crosscare, the social support agency of the Archdiocese of Dublin, is this week appealing to people to contribute to their annual collection to ensure all services can be maintained in the coming months.
Crosscare provides accommodation and support to homeless families and individuals, food services – through its community foodbanks and cafés – youth services throughout Dublin and Wicklow and support for migrants, refugees and emigrants.
When the Covid crisis began at the start of last year, Crosscare services were stretched to capacity. The charity provided 100 extra beds for homeless people to protect them in good quality accommodation with their own rooms to ensure social distancing and safety. That service remains open at present as the pandemic continues.
Demand for food in Crosscare community cafés and community foodbanks has remained high. For the first time some families, who previously did not need support before, turned to Crosscare for help in 2020. Throughout last year:
- 750 people (individuals, couples and families) stayed in Crosscare Homeless Services;
- 3,000 people who were homeless or at risk of losing their home were helped by their Information and Advocacy teams;
- Thousands of children and young people were supported through Crosscare Youth Services, Teen Counselling and Drug and Alcohol Programmes;
- Over 60,000 support phone calls were made to elderly and isolated people; and,
- 9,500 people from 122 countries sought help from Crosscare’s Refugees and Migrant support service.
In a letter to parishioners urging support for the annual fundraising appeal this weekend, Archbishop Dermot Farrell, Archbishop of Dublin, said, “In 2021, more than ever, as families face greater uncertainty and insecurity intensified by the pandemic, people who are homeless and in need continue to rely on Crosscare for shelter, food, help and support. Crosscare’s work with young people at risk in our communities has continued and flourished amid the challenges of lockdown and related impact on the mental health and stability of teenagers and young adults. Every day, people in need of support are welcomed by Crosscare in a spirit of respect, dignity and love. All who work in Crosscare take their work and responsibilities very seriously and I urge you to support them once again in this appeal.”
Crosscare’s CEO, Conor Hickey said, “2021 is proving to be another challenging year as demand on our services increases. Sadly, the Covid crisis particularly affects the most vulnerable. I cannot stress enough how much our services depend on the funds raised through this collection to help our homeless, community and youth services as well as our supports for migrants and refugees.” Mr Hickey paid tribute to Crosscare staff and volunteers who continue to adapt to the incredible challenges brought about by the pandemic, and who ensure that, each day, those most in need are treated with love, respect and kindness.
ENDS
Notes for editors
- The Crosscare Annual Church Collection will be taken up at all Masses in the Archdiocese of Dublin this weekend, 18 and 19 September.
- Throughout the week, members of the public are being also being asked to support the appeal on line at www.crosscare.ie
- Crosscare’s Annual Report for 2020 is available here:
- https://crosscare.ie/crosscare-annual-report-2020/
- Further information, Annette O’Donnell, 087 8143462
For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long +353 (0) 86 172 7678 and Brenda Drumm +353 (0) 87 310 4444.
