Videos launched by Cork Simon to help fight homelessness

Two new videos have been launched in Cork urging the public to get involved in the fight against homelessness.

Launched this week by Cork Simon Community, the videos, one in English and one in Irish, shine a light on the charity’s Room Sponsorship programme.

Now in its second decade, the programme invites people to sponsor a room with a monthly donation. This provides Cork Simon with a sustained source of income allowing the organisation to plan ahead and continue delivering its support services to people experiencing homelessness across Cork and Kerry.

The launch event, held at The Montenotte Hotel Cinema, brought together room sponsors from across Cork for an evening that celebrated the quiet, consistent generosity of the people who help make Cork Simon's work possible.

Kerry Brennan, Director of Services at Cork Simon Community, spoke at the launch about what the Room Sponsorship programme has made possible over the past decade. She told the room that when someone is homeless, alone, and afraid, “they need to know more than anything that they have someone to turn to”.

She said: “Cork Simon's goal is to be there for people who are homeless when they need us, and for as long as they need us - and room sponsors are the people who help make that possible, providing a safe room and a pathway to independent living.”

The videos were produced by Cork-based Hudsucker Media and directed by award-winning Kerry filmmaker Ben Kavanagh with an aim to grow the Room Sponsorship programme’s existing community of sponsors.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Kavanagh explained the creative process behind the productions and his approach to telling a story that gets to the heart of what it means to have a home - the feeling, as Kerry Brennan described it, of being able to close the door behind you and have your own space.

PJ Coogan, presenter of 'The Opinion Line' on Cork's 96FM, launched the videos, reflecting on Cork Simon's 55 years as part of the fabric of Cork city.

PJ spoke about the enduring role the organisation plays in the life of the city and the importance of standing with people in their most vulnerable moments.

Cork Simon's Room Sponsorship programme is open to anyone. To sponsor a room with a monthly donation, visit corksimon.ie/sponsor-a-room.