The housing crisis is pushing people into homelessness and preventing people from leaving homelessness. Our Emergency Shelter is overflowing with an average of 53 people per night relying on a Cork Simon emergency bed. People are staying for longer and longer in emergency accommodation because they have no other options. Rents in Cork City increased 5.3% last year; Rent Supplement and Housing Assistance Payments do not come near asking rents.
Our Emergency Shelter is located on Anderson’s Quay, in the heart of Cork city centre. The Shelter provides care, accommodation and one-to-one support for 47 people around-the-clock, every day of the year.Demand for emergency beds is high – throughout 2017 the Shelter accommodated an average of 53 people per night – the need for emergency accommodation is so great that we try to accommodate as many people as is safe to do so.
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If you know Cork, you know that we live in a caring community. And that sense of belonging, that feeling of community, was here before all of us – and will be here long after us.
Here at Cork Simon, we are blessed that our supporters have enriched our organisation – and our community – with their generous gifts.
What we’ve achieved, with the amazing support of our donors, represents our community at its very best. Read More
August 16th, 7:07 pm
What Alex did with his €10 treat-money will warm the cockles of your heart! His Dad, Ken Gould, told us: “We were at a panto and we got some light-up toys as treats for the boys. But Alex didn’t want one, so we gave him the money instead. Heading back to the car in Paul St, Alex tugged at my jacket and asked, ‘Can I have my money for my treat now?’. He ran back the way we came and gave his €10 to a man who was homeless. He was nine years old at the time. Ever since then he’s been trying to help people who are homeless and make a difference.”
Four years later, Alex continues to do what he can in support of people experiencing homelessness here in Cork. Now 13, Alex and his dad are running the 10km Curragh Chase in Limerick on Saturday. Alex has already raised an amazing €1,014 for Cork Simon but he’s not finished yet, there’s still time to support Alex by donating on his Everyday Hero page: give.everydayhero.com/ie/alex-says-simon
Good Luck on Saturday Alex and Ken - and thank you for believing in people!
Well done Alex we are all so proud of you !!!
Well done Alex. Very thoughtful
Well done u are a credit to ur parents 👍
Wow,well done to you all 🤘🤘
Well done Alex
August 15th, 7:29 pm
Alex was attending one of our Employment and Training courses when his instructor, Don, noticed that he was coming to class hungry. Alex had nothing left for food after spending all his income on rent.
Sign Up today to a Great Cork Simon Supper and make a difference: www.corksimon.ie/supper
August 14th, 7:11 pm
Nora works in our shelter. She’s on the evening shift and the Soup Run is about to start. She spots Tim in the queue outside the door. He’s a regular to the Soup Run and she knows him well. Then Nora spots his companion, Ollie, Tim’s dog and best friend.
Tim won’t come in and sit down tonight because of Ollie - the crowds are too much for him, so Nora parcels up a dinner for Tim to take away with him.
Tim is just one of 27 people using the Soup Run that night. Some people need the Soup Run because all their money goes to pay their rent and have nothing left for food. Some don’t have a bed to sleep in tonight and are hoping our Emergency Shelter will have a room for them. Everyone has their own story to tell.
Our Soup Run is there every night of the year to support everyone turning to us for help with a simple hot meal, a kind word and a supportive person like Nora to turn to when people need it most.
August 13th, 7:47 pm
What’s the best birthday present you could get when you’re homeless?
Kieran recently found out when his support worker Teresa told him the amazing news that he had finally had a home of his own.
Teresa says giving him the news was the highlight of her week; “Giving him that news was just amazing. He was in utter shock and totally speechless. He’s in services for years and was waiting for this chance for so long. He’s now working as well; all these things have really helped his confidence and self belief.”
August 10th, 7:05 pm
It’s not easy to motivate yourself to get up every morning and go to class when you’re living in Emergency Accommodation.
When that alarm rings it’s easy to think ‘what’s the point? Will anyone even give me a chance?’
Despite the many challenges, 118 people have completed training courses with our Employment and Training team so far this summer.
Training in everything from Manual Handling to Customer Skills, from Culinary Arts and Safe Pass. These 118 people are challenging themselves while living with the stress and uncertainty of homelessness.
Well done to each and every man and woman who has completed training this summer. Keep going! Believe in yourself; believe in people.
