Who We Are

Who We Are

Background

Midlands Simon Community began in 2003 when a group of volunteers from across the Midlands Region came together and formed the Community. Midlands Simon was established to support individuals, couples and families who are experiencing or who are at risk of homelessness throughout the Midlands Counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath.

While the main priority of our work is to assist all our Service Users to move out of homelessness, we also work very closely to help them overcome the many other difficulties faced by those experiencing homelessness such as loneliness, isolation, poverty and health and welfare issues. In short, it is our aim to help all our Service Users to rebuild their lives, and move out of homelessness into a permanent home.
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CEO Midlands Simon Community - Tony O Riordan
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Midlands Simon Community Board of Directors with Dr Sam Tsemberis (CEO, Pathways to Housing) at the signing of their historic Memorandum of Agreement

Our Vision 

Midlands Simon Community's vision is to eliminate homelessness in the Midlands Region.

Nature of Homelessness in the Midlands 

While homelessness is not as visible as in the major urban areas, there is still a significant and growing issue in the Midlands. Over 1200 people have been supported by Midlands Simon Community. Approximately 300 people every year will experience homelessness across the region. We need your assistance to combat this growing issue in Counties Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath.
 
While receiving significant support from state agencies of approx 50% of overall income, Midlands Simon is dependent on our own fundraising efforts and the support and goodwill of all our supporters to survive and to continue to provide essential services to those experiencing homelessness across the Midlands region. This means that our target for 2017 from our fundraising efforts is in the region of €340,000 and we need your help to achieve it.

Independent Reviews of our Services

The following report was carried out by Frank Murtagh in February 2011 on the services addresssing homelessness in the Midlands Counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath. 
Review of Services Addressing Homelessness in the Midlands February 2011
File Size: 2508 kb
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Midlands Simon Community commissioned an independent review of the Regional Settlement Service provided to Service Users.  The report was compiled by Frank Murtagh of Murtagh & Partners. 
Report on Regional Settlement Service Midlands
File Size: 1555 kb
File Type: pdf
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