Family Resource Centres highlight 'positive impact' of migrants in Athlone meeting

Family Resources Centre (FRCs) held their national conference in Athlone's Hodson Bay Hotel on Tuesday morning, November 12.

The briefing highlighted the positive impact that migrants can have on communities if the right supports are put in place.

“Cohesive and inclusive communities are possible with the right supports in place, and Family Resource Centres (FRCs) are key to delivering these supports,” said Edgar Flores, a Guatemalan man who came to Ireland as an international protection applicant with his young family in 2023.

Edgar now works as a bilingual family support worker at Clones FRC, and has contributed to his local community through his involvement in Monaghan’s Men’s Group, and Monaghan Tidy Towns.

“Being able to use my own experiences to help others and support them from their arrival in Ireland right through to being integrated into the community has been really rewarding,” Edgar said.

“FRCs are embedded in local communities across the country which allows them to provide these vital supports and services on the ground in response to local needs. I hope sharing my own experiences will help others to continue to create inclusive communities.”

Fergal Landy, CEO of Family Resource Centre National Forum said that fear-mongering and intergenerational poverty in local communities has caused tension in recent years.

Speaking at the conference, Fergal said: “Migrants who become a part of our society by participating economically, socially, culturally and politically, can only have a positive impact on our 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.”