Gateway Intergration Centre marks two years of success

The Gateway Integration Centre in East Wall proudly marked two years since its opening with an event in late September.

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The event celebrated the positive impact the centre has had on both its residents and the local community, with a number of guest speakers and representatives from various local groups commemorating the progress made in fostering integration, friendship, and belonging.

Among the keynote speakers was Dublin football legend and CEO of Sanctuary Runners, Michael Daragh McAuley. 

The GAA star spoke of the significant work done by the centre and the East Wall community in building relationships and providing a safe space for new residents. 

McAuley emphasised the community’s commitment to ensuring that the residents found sanctuary and support within Dublin’s North Inner City.

Sinéad Fennelly, Director of Gateway Integration, highlighted that the primary goal of the centre has always been integration.

“What I see here today, with representatives from community groups like Belvedere Youth Club, Corinthians Boxing Club, Mud Island Community Garden, Montpellier FC, AkiDwA, East Wall Here For All, Irish Refugee Council, East Wall Bessborough, and Cross Cultural Conversations, is evidence of the success we’ve achieved so far,” Fennelly said. 

She acknowledged that, while challenges initially arose, the centre has become a place where people feel they belong and are welcomed into the wider community.

The event was attended by several local politicians, including Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon and councillor Daniel Ennis, Sinn Féin councillor Janice Boylan, Fine Gael’s Ray McAdam Janet Horner of the Greens and Labour Senator Marie Sherlock.

Janet Justiniano Quinteros, a resident of the centre, shared her personal story of finding friendship at Mud Island Community Garden, where she now teaches sewing classes. Her experience underscored the importance of connection and community participation for those living in the centre.

Jonathan Dowling, of Belvedere Youth Club, expressed his pride in the vibrant spirit of the North Inner City. 

The youth club initially made contact with the Gateway Integration Centre through a Belvedere community event. Over the summer, children from the centre and the youth club regularly played football together. Dowling emphasised the importance of not only opening doors to integration but also creating pathways for meaningful engagement, with sport acting as a powerful tool to unite people.

Dowling also commented on the warmth and safety of the emergency accommodation centre adding ‘When I come in here, I feel like I’m walking into my own home, it feels like a family it’s a safe space. Not too long ago just outside the doors here in East Wall it wasn’t a safe space and I can’t imagine how difficult that was to look out the window at people trying to intimidate the residents here and make them feel unsafe, so we need to keep banging that drum- that Dublin, the North Inner City is a vibrant space, a welcoming place.”

Stephen Molloy, representing Corinthians Boxing Club, shared how the support of the Gateway Integration Community Partnership Project has been critical to the club’s survival. 

“Without the support of Gateway Integration, we’d be struggling to keep the doors open this winter. The darker nights are coming, and their help is essential to keeping us going,” Molloy said.

The Gateway Integration Centre recently launched a Community Partnership Project, which has seen local organisations welcome new residents into various community groups and sports clubs. This initiative has helped bridge the gap between new arrivals and the longstanding community, fostering a sense of inclusion and belonging.