‘A life-saving service’: Navan’s only homeless drop-in centre faces closure
Navan’s only homeless and food-poverty drop-in service is now at risk as it appeals for help in finding a new home.
The Joshua Community made a deputation to the November meeting of Navan Municipal District, seeking a new building as the lease on its current premises at Kennedy Place expires in January.
The charity offers a space for people to shower, charge their phones, and access tea, coffee, sandwiches, or simply enjoy some company.
Speaking at the meeting, Independent Councillor Alan Lawes said: “It’s a life saving service, anytime you go in there, it is not just people who are homeless that are in there, it is also people living in emergency accommodation now having a place to go and people to talk to.”
He added: “We can’t afford to lose them because if we do, we would lose lives.”
Since opening in 2021, the service has supported an average of 40 individuals each day, providing food and hygiene hampers, showers, laundry services, access for women and children in crisis, and support with housing applications.
The Joshua Community initially supported 50 households with food parcels, which eventually grew into the full drop-in service now helping Navan’s most vulnerable daily.
The Mayor, Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons, praised the work of the service, saying it does “great work.”
“What they do is very much appreciated,” he added.
Cllr Emer Tóibín asked what the charity needed. Founder Liam McNamara explained that they would require premises of 2,000 to 3,000 square feet.
Monica Nelson, Head of Operations, outlined the charity’s work: “We offer a warm and safe place for people to go."
"People often think of homelessness in a certain way, but many elderly people live in extreme food poverty with nowhere to go and no one to talk to. When we help, we are not only addressing homelessness but we are also actively promoting social inclusion and combating poverty at its very root.”
Ms Nelson added: “We are asking that this council recognise the essential need of our services and ensure that Navan doesn’t lose the only space people can go and have a shower, get support, dignity and warmth.”
Other services include the New Beginnings Programme, a 16-week course aimed at helping people return to work. More than 350 people have participated so far, with 41pc progressing into employment, 21pc into further education, and 28pc reducing or ending reliance on state supports.
“Joshua Community will continue to feed, support and care for people experiencing homelessness and severe need whether we have a building or not,” Ms Nelson told the Irish Independent.
“Our commitment to this work does not change. We hope that by sharing this story, someone in the community may be able to point us toward a suitable vacant building so that we can continue providing dignity, safety and connection to those who depend on the Drop-In Service.”