For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Matthew 25: 35-36
EMBRACE facilitates others in responding to people who have practical needs. The group does not help people directly but networks with other specialist groups such as the Simon Community, Homeplus, the Welcome Organisation, the Belfast-based Refugee Action Group (RAG) and the Northern Ireland Community of Refugees and Asylum Seekers (NICRAS).
We believe that prayer has a positive impact on the lives of others and opens our hearts and minds to the needs of people around us. To help guide our prayers EMBRACE prepares a monthly prayer sheet, themed on different aspects of migration and welcome. If you would like to join the prayer group and receive the prayer sheet by email each month or would like to know more about the prayer group, please contact Jenna at jenna@embraceni.org.
Prayer sheets can be accessed here:
January 2012 Prayer Letter
For monthly prayer letters prior to 2012 please click on the link below
Continue reading ‘EMBRACE Prayer Group’
Migrant destitution
Migrant workers who lose their jobs, or whose contracts have ended, may end up on the streets, as most have no immediate right to full welfare benefits, may have been living in accommodation tied to their job, and have probably underestimated the local cost of living. With no means of support they can quickly become destitute.
See also BBC news item from Dec 2008 here
A practical response
In 2006, EMBRACE working alongside several Belfast churches and community organisations who work with homeless people, set up the On the Street project. This initiative raises awareness of migrant destitution and offers a positive response through the donation and distribution of clothing, bedding, toiletries and foodstuffs to those on the street and in hostels, both local and migrant people.
Homelessness charities have observed that with early support it is relatively easy to get destitute foreign nationals back into jobs before they slip into a cycle of severe social problems. So, in some cases money has provided a couple of nights in a hostel to make it easier for people to get back into work quickly.
Get involved
If you or your church would like to collect and donate goods to this project please contact us for more information including the latest list of items required.
Information Sheets
Summary Sheets providing information on migrant destitution and the On the Street project are available to view and download below, There is also a collection poster for churches and groups involved in the project.
on the street flier INFORMATION 2011
on the streets flier HOW YOU CAN HELP 2011
on the street flier COLLECTION 2011
Money raised by this fund has been used in a number of ways. Examples include assisting destitute foreign nationals who have needed to return home urgently, and sending on the belongings of people who have been removed to their own country following detention at the end of their asylum cases. Others have been helped off the streets by the payment of a few nights hostel fees where no other funds were available.
See EMBRACE Funding for more information or contact us for further details.
A summary of how the fund was used in the year 08 – 09 can be viewed here.
We have a number of criteria which must be met before funds are released. If you would like information on these please contact our office. In every case we do not work directly with individuals but by referral from reputable groups such as homelessness or refugee charities.
