Messages from Leadership

Dear Friends, Supporters, and Partners,

At Cork Simon, we have always believed that together—alongside everyone whose lives we touch—we can work toward a society without homelessness. It’s an ambitious vision, but one that has kept us going through the decades and especially through what has been yet another challenging year.

As we approach our 55th year of service to Cork’s most vulnerable men and women, I am proud to report that we continue to support people into affordable, secure housing despite an ever-growing housing crisis. This achievement comes at a time when homelessness—truly the biggest social issue of our times—has reached unprecedented levels in our community.

The scale of need we witnessed in 2024 was stark. Record numbers of people being pushed into homelessness and depending on the kindness of strangers for survival. Men and women facing circumstances that no one should have to endure. But the power of community endured, and we were there to help pick up the pieces, to offer greater security and dignity to those who rely on us the most. As a community, we recognise that behind every person seeking our help is a unique story deserving of respect, compassion, and hope.

We simply could not respond without having the financial wherewithal to do so. To that end, one of our most significant achievements in 2024 has been turning around what was a substantial deficit to achieve a surplus. This financial turnaround represents more than just numbers on a balance sheet—it reflects the extraordinary generosity of our donors and the unwavering commitment of our partners and stakeholders. Your trust in our mission has enabled us to not only stabilise our operations but to continue to be that vital lifeline for those most in need.

Recognising the complexity of the challenges ahead, we have also strengthened the skillset of our Board, positioning ourselves strategically for the work that lies before us. Good governance has never been more critical as we navigate an increasingly complex operating environment while staying true to our core mission.

What gives me profound hope is witnessing the daily acts of transformation—people moving from crisis to stability, from despair to dignity, from homelessness to home. Each person we support into secure, affordable housing represents a victory against a system that too often fails the most vulnerable members of our wider community.

Our decades-long journey has taught us that sustainable change requires both immediate compassion and long-term commitment. We will continue to provide essential emergency services while simultaneously working toward systemic solutions that end homelessness as quickly as possible – or preventing it altogether, for everyone depending on us.

To our incredible teams, volunteers, donors, and partners—thank you so much for standing with us through another demanding year. Your unwavering support and commitment to the cause has made possible every meal served, every bed provided, every life transformed, and every step toward our ultimate goal: ending homelessness for every man and woman turning to us for help.

To my fellow volunteers on the Board of Directors, my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your outstanding dedication and leadership throughout 2024. Your collective wisdom, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment have been instrumental in driving Cork Simon Community forward. And to our CEO, Dermot Kavanagh and his senior management team, your ability to navigate challenges while maintaining focus on our strategic objectives has been remarkable.

These collective efforts have positioned us well to meet the challenges that inevitably lie ahead. I am honoured to work alongside such a distinguished and dedicated team.

As we look ahead, we do so with determination, knowing that together we are building something greater than any of us could achieve alone—a place where everyone has a safe place to lay their head and a real chance of a fresh start.

With deep gratitude,

Christine Moloney
Chair of the Board of Directors
Cork Simon Community

2024 was demanding. There’s no other way to put it. We worked flat out to meet the growing need for homelessness services in Cork and Kerry, and while the challenges were real, so were the breakthroughs.

The Reality We’re Facing

Our Anderson’s Quay and Nightlight shelters ran at full capacity all year, providing beds for 526 people who had nowhere else to go. A total of 761 people came to our day services, getting everything from food and basic day-to-day necessities to wide ranging primary healthcare services provided in partnership with the HSE. Our soup run responded to increased need every night—821 people depending on it throughout the year.

The numbers that really hit hard? We saw an 18% jump in the number of people long-term homeless in our emergency accommodation and a 17% increase in the number of people rough sleeping. More and more people are arriving with serious addiction issues, mental health struggles, and complex medical needs. It’s tough work, but it’s exactly why we’re here.

The Wins That Keep Us Going

Here’s what gives us hope: our Shelter Diversion programme. This homeless prevention initiative assisted 75 people from becoming reliant on homeless services. That’s 75 people who didn’t have to experience the trauma of being stuck in emergency accommodation – potentially long-term for some. Our addiction treatment and aftercare services supported 87 people on their journey to recovery and stable housing. And we had an impressive 24% increase in people using our education and training services—274 learners building skills that change everything.

The big milestone? We hit our 100th Housing First tenancy in Cork and Kerry. Throughout 2024 we supported over 250 tenants and residents in various types of housing. Each one represents someone who went from crisis to having keys to their own front door, or somewhere safe to start working on life-changing decisions.

Getting Back on Solid Ground

After two tough years running deficits, we turned things around financially in 2024. We actually posted a surplus, which meant we could rebuild our reserves and breathe a bit easier. Crucial to achieving this were our statutory partners who stepped up their funding to cover the rapidly increasing costs of service delivery, and our incredible donors who continued to believe in us even when times were tight for everyone.

What’s Next

We’re not standing still. Right now we’re crafting a new strategy for Cork Simon Community for which we engaged in a significant review of our services in 2024. Some key goals we’re considering include much better facilities for our nightlight services, more temporary accommodation to take pressure off Anderson’s Quay, and a further expansion of our Housing First and other supported housing services. We want every person stuck in emergency accommodation to have hope, to see a real path forward.

The People Who Make It Happen

None of this works without our amazing community. To everyone who donates—whether it’s your first time or you’ve been with us for decades—you’re the reason we can keep our doors open every single night. Thank you so much. Our fundraising team works magic connecting with people who care about homelessness and the men and women it affects.

Our staff and volunteers? Absolute heroes. Day in, day out, they show up and do incredibly difficult work with such heart and professionalism. And sincere thanks to Cork City Council, the HSE, and all our statutory partners who recognise that this work cannot happen without proper support and meaningful collaboration.

We’re not just managing a crisis—we’re changing lives, one person at a time. That’s what keeps us going, and that’s what we’ll keep doing in 2025 and beyond.

Dermot Kavanagh,

CEO, Cork Simon Community.