Good Shepherd Centre Kilkenny participate in march to raise awareness
The centre supports 43 families and 98 children experiencing homelessness
To highlight the issue of child and youth homelessness, The Good Shepherd Centre, will take part in this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade in Kilkenny, where participants will walk in solidarity carrying signs representing the number of children currently experiencing homelessness, under the message “No Child Should Be Homeless.”
The Good Shepherd Centre Kilkenny is currently supporting 43 families and 98 children experiencing homelessness, alongside eight young adults aged between 18 and 25 in emergency accommodation across its services.
The organisation, which operates across Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford, Tipperary, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath, says the figures reflect the growing number of families and young people seeking support as housing pressures continue.
A record high of over 17,000 people are homeless in Ireland including 5,319 children according to the latest figures.
The parade entry reflects this year’s theme “Together – Le Chéile,” emphasising the role communities can play in supporting families facing housing insecurity.
A key support provided by the organisation is its Own Front Door programme, which offers families an alternative to emergency hotel accommodation. Through the programme, families are placed in a temporary house or apartment where they have their own space and front door while longer-term housing solutions are being secured.
CEO Noel Sherry said the approach provides a more stable environment for families during what is often an extremely difficult period.
“Emergency hotel accommodation can be very challenging for families, particularly for children,” he said.
“Through Own Front Door, families can live in a house or apartment rather than a hotel room. It allows children to have a routine, space to play and do homework, and a sense of normal family life while their longer-term housing situation is being resolved.”
Participants in the parade will carry visual representations of the number of children currently supported through the organisation’s services, drawing attention to the reality facing many families across the region.
Mr Sherry said the message behind the group’s participation is simple: communities working together can play an important role in ensuring every child has a safe place to call home.
“When communities come together, le chéile, we can support families through crisis and work towards a future where no child experiences homelessness,” he said.