Charity organisation CAP hosting Christmas concert fundraiser
By Maurice Garvey
A CHARITY organisation that helps prisoners reintegrate back into society, is hosting a Christmas concert to raise funds for it’s service.
Care After Prison [CAP] is a peer-led organisation which provides support, information and advice to those who have spent time in prison, their families, and victims of crime around the country.
Established in 2011, the group has seen an increase of 55 per cent in clients referred through the Irish prison service and 40 per cent in clients self-referred to the service during the last quarter.
CAP is made up of those with experience of prison as well as other social care professionals – improving the level of trust between support workers and service users, many who are from the South Dublin County area.
An ex-offender and former drug user from Dublin 8, who was referred to the service while in prison, said CAP has changed his life dramatically.
“It’s keeping me clean, keeping me focused and my support worker is there to support me whenever I need it,” he said.
CAP also distribute hampers to prisoner’s families during the festive period, and plan to roll out a family support programme in the new year.
The Christmas concert takes place on Thursday, December 14 at Whitefriar Street Church in the city centre.
The line-up includes High Hopes Choir, Irish poet Louis de Paor accompanied by Sean Duggan on violin, guitarist NC Lawlor with Aine Fury on vocals.
Tickets are €20 and €15 and available on the door.
To make a donation to CAP visit www.careafterprison.ie or text Empower 50300 to donate €2.
