On Monday evening the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Awards Ceremony was held in The Exchange on Gardiner Street with President McAleese as Special Guest Speaker.  About 350 people attended.

 

While the event was to honour this year's recipients of SEI Awards (Level One (minor) and Level Two (major)), SEI also chose to profile and spotlight Jobcare's Trasna programme.  Paul Mooney was a Level Two Awardee in 2007 and given €75,000 to set up the Trasna programme for ex-offenders.  Trasna represents a significantly successful project for them, with real outcomes to show for their sponsorship of Jobcare over the past two years: the 12 men currently on Trasna at the moment, the other 17 who have been on the programme over the period since January 2008, the restoration of the Gardiner Street building and the way Paul has been able to establish Trasna as a sustainable programme.  Indeed, Paul is a prime example of a social entrepreneur and SEI take great pride in now having him as an alumnist of their awards process.

 

Go to the stories section for more detail. 

See also Jobcares website report on the event:

http://www.jobcare.ie/newsite/About/News.php

From TheIrishTimes.com 

It's the simple things that count

Rather than grand gestures, it is the simple everyday kindnesses that make the biggest difference to our relationships, writes JOHN SHARRY .

Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least – Goethe

LEADING LIFE coach Stephen Covey uses the metaphor of a bank account to describe emotional closeness and trust in intimate relationships. A deposit is made each time you share a moment of connection with your partner, when you enjoy each other’s company or when you simply listen to one another. A withdrawal is made each time you do not listen to what your partner says, or when you criticise or are negative, or if either of you feels let down by the other.

Sometimes we make major deposits in our relationship bank accounts, for example when you do something special that matters a lot to someone, and sometimes we make major withdrawals, for example when we let someone down on an issue of importance for them.

Continue Reading It's the Simple Things that Count

We need your help! Saturday 12th - Sunday 20th September 2009

Volunteer to spend one week in an urban township in Cape Town, South Africa, helping to build safe, decent homes with local families. www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk/dtbuild.htm

 

"I’m recruiting a 10 person team from Ireland to join over 120 volunteers from the UK to build 22 houses in 1 week. Take a look at this incredible video from last years build to see what this is all about." David Lynas, Church and Faithgroups Manager - Global Village Sending Programme 

 

Desmond Tutu Building on Faith Week 2008 from Habitat for Humanity on Vimeo.

‘LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR’ COMMUNITY ACTION CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED  

 “We want to instigate conscious acts of kindness in Ireland throughout 2009 and help reverse the trend to individualism in our society” Sean Mullan (General Director EAI) 

New website shows ideas and issues for action 

Evangelical Alliance Ireland today (2 March 2009) launched a year-long community action campaign encouraging individuals and communities around Ireland to make a special effort to show particular consideration, care and love for those in their own neighbourhood throughout 2009.

Speaking at the launch, Sean Mullan (EAI) said “In this difficult time for many in our communities, mutual care and support are particularly relevant”. “It makes a real difference when people know that neighbours care and can be relied on when they are needed” he said. 

“We want to stimulate the recovery of community by challenging the church and society to reverse the trend towards individualism” Sean Mullan said. “This is a trend which causes many societal ills, contributing to family breakdown, suicide and drug-abuse among others” he claimed.

“We recognise and applaud the hundreds of community groups already serving their community in a variety of ways” Sean Mullan added.