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Work with Immigrants
Brother Kevin Mascarenhas is the Director of The Mount Sion Integration and Support Unit For New Communities in Waterford......
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Br Kevin Mascarenhas (left)
The Integration and Support Unit (ISU) at Mount Sion was established by The Edmund Rice International Heritage Centres (ERIHC) to respond to the needs of refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants in Waterford. It was opened to the public on September 4th 2006.
To date nearly 350 Non Irish Nationals from 50 different countries are using the services of the ISU.
During her visit to the ISU in November 2006, President Mary McAleese said, "It is not so much what we do but the CEAD MILE FAILTE or WELCOME that we extend to the new communities in Waterfird that will make the difference to the quality of the work of the ISU".
Why is a Presentation Brother doing this work?
Edmund Rice's first outreach was to two Non Irish nationals- "Black Johnny" and Biaconi.
Black Johnny was a Slave on a ship and was being maltreated by the Captain. Edmund Rice purchased his release and brought him in and taught him English and then set him up in business.
Bianconi was an Italian who only had one word “Buy”. Edmund Rice supported him and gave him an education and set him up in business. If Edmund Rice was walking the streets of Waterford, we can be fairly sure that he would be doing the work of the ISU.
In addition to his many other works of charity, Blessed Edmund Rice reached out immigrants 200 years ago. That tradition continues.
Read more about Brother Kevin's remarkable Vocation Story here
How did this work begin?
After conducting a needs analysis of Waterford in the spring and summer 2005, the five members of the new community (four Christian Brothers and one Presentation Brother from five different countries) focused on three programmes: ISU, ASEOP (Accessing Education and Support Opportunities for Progression) and Youth Ministry. In addition, the Nagle Centre, offering computer classes, relocated to Mount Sion. This centre is run by a Presentation sister Sr Josephine Deegan
The ISU opened on the 4th of September 2006 and now employs a Project Worker and a Admin Assistant who have started to meet with new community members to help discern their needs and encourage them to get involved and have a voice. Br Kevin Mascarenhas is the Director of the ISU project.
Bro Kevin Mascarenhas, a Presentation Brother, works collaboratively with stake holders from various organisations and agencies throughout Waterford who make up the Steering group and a variety of Sub committees.
Funding is provided by ERIHC, European Refugee Fund, and Waterford Area Partnership.
What services does the ISU provide?
The ISU is providing a wide variety of information including the asylum process, Employment Law and legal advice.
We are also providing English classes to 40 to 50 refugees through Integrate Ireland English Language.We are also providing English Classes to 15 to 20 Asylum seekers through Volunteer Teachers. These English Language have helped the refugees and asylum seekers in getting through difficulties in Language which is very important for them to survive, Integrate and get work in Ireland. They are able to converse better with Irish people.
The Information and Support Unit for New Communities is providing Information and Support in following areas:
- Refugee Legal Service
- English Language classes
- Literacy Supports
- Computer Skills
- Photography
- Library activities
- Community Based integrated health programmes
- Art and Drama Classes and exhibitions
- Teenage Integration programme
- Monthly information sessions
- Housing advocacy
- Social and cultural activities
- Capacity building and self advocacy
- Anti – racism training and forum
The ISU is also providing support to smaller groups including the Birchwood house Youth Task Group.
Contact Details:
Brother Kevin Mascarenhas,
Director ISU,
Mount Sion,
Barrack St,
Waterford.
Tel: 051-852564 / 087-9128166
Opening Hours
Main Office: Mon - Fri 9am-5pm
Information Office: Mon - Fri mornings, 10am-12.30pm
Refugee Legal Service: Wednesday 11am - 3pm
Appointments on freephone number 1800 20 24 20
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