Family Resource Centres hold key to cohesive and inclusive communities in Westmeath
Representatives from Family Resource Centres (FRCs) in Westmeath attended the Family Resource Centre National Forum (FRCNF) national conference at the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, including Amanda Burke, Delores Wilson, Michelle Carballo, Kim McDonnell, and Anne Finneran from Cara Phort Family Resource Centre, Ballynacargy.
Featured in the line-up of speakers was Edgar Flores, a Guatemalan man who came to Ireland as an international protection applicant with his young family in 2023, and now works as a bilingual family support worker at Clones FRC, County Monaghan. Mr Flores shared his experience of navigating the immigration system in Ireland and how he draws on this to help others, as part of his role with Clones FRC.
Speaking at the conference, Fergal Landy, CEO of Family Resource Centre National Forum, said: “As we grapple with the complexities of inter-culturalism, building communities that are inclusive is crucial. Family Resource Centres have been instrumental in supporting communities, including those who have come and made their lives around Ireland. We’ve heard lots of examples of best practices today and how they can be replicated in communities across the country with the right funding from government.
“In recent years, some people have been exploiting tensions in our communities, seeking to divide society through racism. Many of our communities are struggling with intergenerational poverty and inequality without access to housing or proper public services in areas like health, including mental health, disability, and education.
“Those communities need safe spaces, such as FRCs, to come and discuss their concerns and advocate for their communities. In a fully inclusive Ireland, everyone – regardless of their background, gender, or ethnicity – should have access to their basic human needs and the opportunity to contribute and thrive in the community.
“Edgar’s story shows us what can happen when a community has the right supports in place. Migrants who become a part of our society by participating economically, socially, culturally and politically, can only have a positive impact on society as a whole. It’s vital that real community development, through FRCs and similar community work settings, is adequately and sustainably resourced so that we can build communities that are inclusive and welcoming for everyone.”
The conference featured discussions, presentations of best practices and expert speakers exploring the theme ‘Inclusive Communities and Intercultural Practice: A Community Development Approach to Interculturalism through the National FRC Programme’.
Further information on the FRCNF is available at familyresource.ie.