Peter McVerry Community Service

Peter McVerry Community Service

By Matthew Burke

In September, a group of Transition Year students completed work experience at the Peter McVerry Trust in the inner city in Dublin. Jack McGovern, Toby Lennon, Patrick Hanley, Finn Rankin, Robert Prestage and Daniel Hogan all wanted to learn more about the situation facing homeless people in Ireland today and do something about it. They believed taking this incredible opportunity would be an exciting way to achieve this.

The week started with meeting Fr. Peter McVerry and learning all about the inspiring work he and other volunteers do. Then they met homeless people and listened to their stories in a detox centre. They also visited a cafe that is run by the organisation. The highlight of the week for them was going to court in Dublin where people that the Peter McVerry Trust help are tried for petty crimes. Peter McVerry grew up in a poor family and he saw it as his vocation to help other people, according to Rob. Daniel explained that many homeless people end up in their situation not because of a stereotypical addiction to drugs or alcohol, but by having their home repossessed or family issues.

Toby told me that he met a nineteen year old man who was addicted to drugs in the detox centre and he told them all about the great work that the charity was doing to help him and so many others.

Finn described meeting a man called Ger in a cafe operated by former homeless people as “eye opening”. Ger explained how he was once a drug dealer and consumer and the dangers and horrors associated with the drug trade.

 The six students all want to continue working with the Peter McVerry Trust in the future and they encourage other TY students to get involved with the charity. Having listened to the fantastic work our TY students completed, many other TY students have been inspired to get involved with the charity themselves.