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CIIC IRISH SENIOR CONNECT PROGRAM LAUNCHES

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Minister Frances Fitzgerald Visits The Irish Pastoral Centre of Boston and Officiates at Launch of Irish Senior Connect Program

MARCH 22, 2012–BOSTON, MA– Irish Senior Connect, a community outreach program of the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers (CIIC), launched Friday, March 16, 2012 at The Irish Pastoral Centre (IPC) of Boston.  Irish Senior Connect is based on a similar and very successful program currently running in Ireland, and was made possible by generous funding from the American Ireland Fund and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs.    The Irish Minister of Children & Youth Services, Ms. Frances Fitzgerald T.D., was the guest of honor, officiating at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The goal of Irish Senior Connect is to provide a listening ear, information and links to resources that can help with the needs or concerns of the senior population.  Additionally, the program aims to serve as a connection to the local Irish and Irish American community providing a network of support and friendship for seniors, especially those who may be homebound, lonely and isolated.  Program staff is interested in creating intergenerational programming for seniors through partnerships with local youth organizations.  The IPC of Boston was chosen to pilot the program, and the goal is to have this center serve as a model for other Irish centers throughout the United States to replicate the listening line.

“We are very pleased to serve as the host site for the CIIC Senior Connect line,” said Alicia Connors, Executive Director of IPC Boston.  “This will be a vital resource for those seniors who would like a friendly chat, some consolation when they are feeling down and an empathetic ear to listen. We have had an enthusiastic response from our senior group who know the strength that community connection brings. We appreciate Susan Doody’s good work.”  Irish Senior Connect staff and volunteers are interested in publicizing the event, and plan to so do through community agencies, events and local parishes.

The phone number for Irish Senior Connect is 855-249-5146.

For more information, please contact Susan Doody, Irish Senior Connect Coordinator, at susan.doody@ciic-usa.org or 857-266-8133.

ABOUT THE COALITION OF IRISH IMMIGRATION CENTERS

The Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers (CIIC) is a national umbrella group for all of the Irish Immigration Centers in the US. The CIIC was established in 1996 to promote the welfare of Irish immigrants in the US at a national level.

The mission of the CIIC is to represent immigrant organizations throughout the United States who are committed to providing services to Irish immigrants. The Coalition provides support and assistance to the various centers in their work through advocacy, education and the exchange of information. CIIC member organizations are located in California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Philadelphia, Washington and Wisconsin.

To learn more about CIIC visit, www.ciic-usa.org

ABOUT THE IRISH PASTORAL CENTRE

The Irish Pastoral Centre is committed to welcoming the ‘stranger among us.’ We believe in justice for all, solidarity in the face of hardship, and that the bonds of community are rooted in the best of what it means to be Irish. We provide a grassroots response to individuals in need offering spiritual, social, legal, and educational support. ‘We are a ‘parish without boundaries.’

To learn more about IPC Boston visit, www.ipcboston.org