By Cian Molloy - 26 April, 2020
Archbishop Eamon Martin called into the Simon Community hostel in Armagh this week to thank staff and volunteers for their work helping the homeless.
The Simon Community is Northern Ireland’s biggest homelessness charity, operating 30 different accommodation projects and providing 382 beds every night.
Frontline medical technician Kevin, who is back at work thanks to help from the Simon Community.
Like other charities such as the Society of St Vincent de Paul, Crosscare and the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin, the Simon Community reports increased levels of demand for its support services.
After visiting the Armagh hostel on Friday, the Archbishop thanked the organisation for all it is doing to reach out to the vulnerable at present. He said: “Humbling to visit Simon Armagh today to offer our support and to speak and pray with the residents and staff.”
The archbishop looked very relaxed when photographed chatting and joking with residents.
At present, the Simon Community is using one of its former residents as a focus for its current fundraising campaign. It features a photo of ‘Kevin’, someone who was homeless and a Simon Community client seven years ago, but who is now working as a medical technician, helping to save lives in the midst of the pandemic.
Calling on people to be generous, Kevin says: “Please donate what you can to help Simon continue supporting people. If I can turn my life around with a little support anyone can.”
Once-off, or recurring, donations to Simon Community Northern Ireland can be made here.
