THREE decades after he set up in a three-bed flat in Ballymun to help homeless youngsters Fr Peter McVerry was honoured at a Presidential reception at Ãras an Uachtaráin.
Representatives from the trust including Pat Doyle CEO, staff and homeless individuals that the charity has helped joined Fr McVerry and with President Michael D Higgins to mark its 30th anniversary.
Fr McVerry opened his first homeless shelter for boys aged 12 – 16 in 1979.
However, as the number of homeless youths in Dublin continued to rise, Fr McVerry recognised the need for a much larger response to the issue and the Peter McVerry Trust was formally established in 1983.
The CEO, Pat Doyle, said the Peter McVerry Trust had been opening doors for homeless people for 30 years.
“We are delighted that President Higgins has opened his door to the homeless today,
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“The young men and women that are here have a great opportunity to speak to the President about the issues faced by those experiencing homelessness in Irish society.
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He added:
“The Peter McVerry Trust has been to the forefront of efforts to tackle homelessness, drug misuse and social disadvantage in Irish society over the last 30 years and to receive formal recognition from President Higgins, himself such a committed champion of social justice issues, is a very special occasion for all involved with the charity.
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Over the last three decades the trust has grown significantly from that first three bedroom service to become the provider of a range of services for vulnerable homeless people.
It currently provides homeless prevention and under 18s residential and drug treatment services across the Dublin region and recently opened new outlets in Swords and Tallaght.
A total of 1,897 individuals were helped by the charity in the first four months of this year alone.
The charity plays a key role in the implementation of the current homeless strategy and it is delivering a housing first model to tackle homelessness in Ireland.