If you held any doubt about the international scope of Depaul International scan through these reports from the UK, Ukraine, Ireland, Philadelphia, Macon, Bratoislavia and innovative approaches to fund raising that included a trustee swimming to Alcatraz and a 1500 mile motorcycle ride
Depaul UK resident carries Olympic Torch in Westminster
On 26 July 2012 Sam Jafar, a resident of Depaul’s Westbourne House project in London, carried the Olympic Torch through the streets of Westminster. Sam came into contact with Depaul UK when he became homeless. The support he received was pivotal in bringing about positive change, and he was selected to carry the Olympic Torch and represent Westminster in recognition of all of his volunteering achievements.
Depaul Ukraine trustee to swim Alcatraz
Continuing the sporting theme, Olga Tseyukova, Chair of Trustees on the Board of Depaul Ukraine, is making a bid to become the first Ukrainian woman to swim from the legendary island of Alcatraz to the shores of San Fransisco in August 2012 to raise $10,000 for Depaul Ukraine which works with street children and older homeless people in Kharkiv and Odessa. Sponsor her in her quest to make history and change the lives of countless homeless individuals by visiting http://www.justgiving.com/Olga-Swims-Alcatraz
Depaul Ireland is 10 years old!
Depaul Ireland celebrates its 10th birthday during 2012. At the invitation of the Irish government, it began operating in 2002 from the old Clancy Barracks building in Dublin, providing a much needed place of safety for homeless people, particularly those with alcocol and drugs issues. From that initial project Depaul Ireland has grown to become an influential and respected charity, with a portfolio of different services for the homeless in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. View 10 ways to help celebrate here >> (Link apparently no longer operative)
Depaul USA is also adding variety to its services. Depaul House in Philadelphia, which has been running since 2009, has been joined by two new programs in the past few months. ‘Daybreak‘ in Macon, Georgia, a daycentre and community resource for homeless people, is now open on three days a week, and the building will be refurbished properly over the next year. ‘Movin On’ in New Orleans is a transportation project linking homeless people to the services they need in order to get support. To read more about several new innovative programs being set up by Depaul USA view here >>
Depaul Slovensko designs new nightshelter
After five years of operating from a less-than-perfect building, the St Vincent nightshelter in Bratislava has been given the go-ahead to refurbish its existing warehouse site near the airport. Over the winter of 2011/12 it had raised sufficient capital to re-do the whole of the roof, completed just before the worst weather set in, and now it is seeking significant capital funding to underpin the rest of the work required to make the building a more welcoming place for the 200+ homeless people that it supports each night. View more about its plans here >>
Depaul International ‘Leap of Faith’ fundraising challenge
A long-standing Depaul supporter Loralee West set off on an adventure in June to raise money and awareness for Depaul services in the USA, Ireland and Ukraine – bringing in a magnificent $112,000! Leaping on the back of a motorbike she and a group of friends travelled 1500 miles around Ireland and the UK, visiting six Depaul projects on the way – Sundial in Dublin, Foyle Haven in Derry, Stella Maris in Belfast, then over the Irish Sea to meet staff and clients at Geared4Life in Newcastle, Safestop in Manchester, and finally Willesden Hostel in north London. 
Tags: Anti-poverty strategies, creativity, Depaul International, fund-raising, Vincentian Family
