Come and walk in the shoes of the homeless

By Mary Dennehy

THE real-life stories of Tallaght’s homeless will be told in a community-led, two-day event, which hopes to break down preconceptions and statistics – showing the people and families behind the numbers.

Called ‘Come Walk in My Shoes’, the inclusive event is being organised by a cluster of Tallaght parishes, St Kevin’s, St Kilian’s, St Mary’s, St Aengus’s and St Dominic’s, in collaboration with Tallaght Community Arts (TCA) and with support from Focus Ireland Tallaght, the Intercultural Centre and local social justice groups.

The primary objective of the event is to engage people with the lives and stories of Tallaght’s homeless, including a number of refugees who are also seeking a home.

Working alongside TCA, Come Walk in My Shoes will see tents pitched inside and outside local churches on Saturday and Sunday, October 1 and 2.

Millbrook Lawns resident Gerry Bates, who is on the organising committee, told The Echo: “We envisage many people walking from church to church, from tent to tent, to hear and engage with the different stories.

“All of the stories will be real and we hope that it raises awareness of the people and families in Tallaght and South Dublin County who are homeless.

“We think it’s important for people to hear first-hand so that they can identify with our homeless people and refugees and realise that they are not actually that different.

“It will also allow people to make a connection with some of our homeless people, which will help to break down preconceptions and raise awareness around the many different reasons that people find themselves without a roof over their heads.”

The people telling their stories will include individuals who have become homeless for a number of diverse reasons, some local families that have become homeless in recent years and people from different countries who came to Ireland to find a safe home.

Gerry said: “We’re getting huge support from the community, including the Intercultural Drop-in Centre in Mountain Park, where volunteers help people to integrate into Irish society.

“It’s a welcoming and safe place for refugees and migrants, a number of whom are engaging in the project and will help people to understand the experience of coming to a new place like Tallaght.”

He added: “This is a community event and anybody who would like to share stories or take part is encouraged to get in touch.

“Also, any businesses that would like to support the project would be very welcome.”

The Echo, which is the project’s media partner, will feature regular updates on Come Walk in My Shoes in the run-up to the unique event.

To get in touch with organisers, visit the Come Walk in My Shoes Facebook page.