100,000 chances to change a life
It all starts with a cup of tea at Merchants Quay Ireland, as it has since 1969 when two Franciscan friars began giving a welcome to homeless men who took shelter from the streets and the weather in Adam & Eve’s Church.
The age-old spirit of compassion and respect is still at the heart of MQI’s ethos (see the insert in this paper) – never to give up on human dignity, especially if they’ve lost belief in themselves.
Today, the Riverbank drop-in centre in Dublin offers food, shower facilities, fresh socks and underwear, a friendly ear and practical support six days a week to rough sleepers coming in from a cold pavement or doorway, people suffering from mental illnesses and those struggling with addiction. Over 100,000 meals were served to the lost and the forgotten in 2017 – that’s 100,000 chances to change a life and turn it around.
Your insert describes how MQI staff and volunteers do whatever it takes to move clients from the streets into long-term housing and independent living. You can see Riverbank first-hand yourself at a behind-the-scenes tour held monthly during a couple of quiet hours when the service is not in use by clients. Ring Emma at 01-5240965 for details.
To help this lifesaving, life-changing work, please donate whatever you can to MQI today by using the insert response or online at www.mqi.ie or by phone at 01-5240139.
The Midlands Drug & Alcohol Treatment Supports (DATS) project covers Longford, Laois, Offaly and Westmeath. Each county has a dedicated Drugs & Alcohol Worker providing vital crisis support to people caught in addiction. People coming to the DATS project can access rehabilitation and aftercare support, health promotion and essential information and advocacy support.
Merchants Quay also have a Family Support Worker, who provides a safe space, guidance and counselling to families affect by a loved one’s addiction.
This is a free and confidential service, and our staff work with a number of organisations to ensure that the people who turn to us for help get the best possible chance at recovering from addiction.