Shelter for young homeless to get a corporate clean-up

IAN was only 10 when his mother’s partner injected him with heroin. Last year, the people who run Ireland’s first, and only, shelter for young homeless people came across Ian, then a destitute drug addict.

The Clancy 'low-threshold' shelter in Dublin's north city took Ian, now 22, under their wing and gave him something he never had hope.

Unlike most hostels, the shelter accepts young people with behavioural problems. It even tolerates people who arrive drunk and under the influence of drugs.

Tomorrow, the centre run by the Depaul Trust since February 2002 will open its doors to a team of volunteers from Oracle Ireland, whose plans to give it a special clean-up. Also, rolling up his sleeves on the day will be Dublin Lord Mayor Royston Brady.

Ian was lucky to become one of the centre's 17 residents who are offered a hot meal and a bed for the night in a safe and secure environment.

Ian was also given an opportunity to deal with his drug problem and is now living independently in a flat in the city.

Pat Doherty, director of the Depaul Trust Ireland, said he was glad the corporate sector was beginning to realise the critical need the shelter was providing.

"We've already got many instances where our service has made a significant contribution to stabilising and turning around the lives of highly vulnerable young people," he saidpointed out.

And the young people they help are not always what people would perceive as a stereotypical homeless persons.

Another former resident, John, 25, is from an upper-class background and well educated. His father is also a well-known businessman.

He became a heroin addict after being introduced to it by friends. His family sent him to the Priory Clinic in Britain and a number of clinics in the US but all failed to solve his problems. HBecause of his drug problem he too ended up on the streets.

A key worker in the Clancy Shelter reached out to John and gave him the help he needed to deal with his drinking and drug abuse and get in contact again with his family. He is now staying in his parents' second home outside Dublin.

Caroline, who also comes from a well-off, well-educated background, arrived at the centre with her partner. Her behaviour was totally anti-social to the point where she would not allow people to enter bedroom in an emergency.

It was only when her partner was imprisoned on drug charges that she agreed to attend a methadone programme. She has visited the shelter since and appears well.