|  Support in the United States of America
Friends of the Communities of Northern Ireland
In 1999, an American support group came together to help the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland. This group has been generous in their gifts of time and money. These people have been crucial in raising valuable extra funds to support work tackling the worst problems in Northern Ireland.
Members of the Board of the Friends of the Communities of Northern Ireland are: Michael Fleming, Stephenie Foster, Peggy Bennett, Mike Marshall, Patrick Merloe, Nora O’Connell, Jane Oates.
Message from the Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern TD, at the launch of Friends of the Communities of Northern Ireland in the United States:"I am delighted to have this opportunity to pay tribute to the work of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, in recognition of the vital contribution it makes to community development in Northern Ireland… in helping people to rebuild communities and relationships between communities. This work is crucial to the peace building process…The US Administration and all of our friends here have played a central part in our recent achievements, and we continue to look to this side of the Atlantic for support."
Senator George Mitchell, Broker of the Good Friday Agreement:"Nobody said peace in Ireland would be easy. It will be about a long-term process and it is about more than signing peace agreements. The peace also has to be built, each and every day, on the streets of Northern Ireland and in the hearts of its people. The Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust is a crucial part of this process, through its support for the communities of Northern Ireland."
Message from Senator Barbara A. Milkulski, Democrat, Maryland:"As a lifelong community organiser and social worker, I know the real difference community organisations make in creating equality and peace. So I wholeheartedly endorse the work the Community Foundation does throughout Northern Ireland in making sure that every citizen takes her or his full place in this new society."
Contact Details: To contact our support group in the USA, write to:
Groups supported through help from the United States
ATGWU/WEA Diversity ProjectFor work on reconciliation between the two communities in Northern Ireland. Total $15,000
Foyle FriendsFor advice and support to young gays and lesbians. Total $15,000
Foyle Hill Environmental GroupThis project is significant because there is no environmental group in the Cregdean area, where 11,000 people live. It is important for youth to learn about environmental issues and the small but significant things they can do to protect it.
Mount Vernon Community ProjectMichelle Miller's position, as Project Development Worker on the project, is partially funded through a Community Foundation grant supported by funds from the Winslow Foundation in the United States. Her position has been the key in creating many community groups and community projects for the residents of Mount Vernon, including their present environmental clean-up initiative.
Community Restorative JusticeTo equip an office for an organisation that helps young people and others work out alternative ways of addressing conflict. Total $10,000
Community Development Centre, North BelfastFor work with young people across the two communities in Northern Ireland. Total $10,000
EPICFor reintegration of politically-motivated ex-prisoners into the community. Total $7,000
Tullyally & District Development GroupFor a worker to develop a disadvantaged community in the north west of Northern Ireland. The funding of salaried worker, Angela Montgomery, has enabled the group to progress in many ways. The Group has trained additional youth leaders and helped other projects source funding. Total $6,000
Carrickhill Residents' AssociationThe Community Foundation contributed to the development of the Community Computer Centre. The Computer Centre is used by everyone in the Carrickhill community for a range of activities; job searches; creative projects: internet research and communications. The computer centre has been a great benefit to the community. Frank Dempsey, Project Manager, says that one can see a change in the kids since acquiring the Community Centre. Total $5,000
Shankill - ShankillFor a cross-border exchange between a working-class community in Belfast and a community in Dublin. Total $5,000
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
