Who ARE WE?

The One Campaign for Change is an Irish youth-led social justice group with the aims to raise awareness about Homelessness as well as bring an end to the growing problem. The Campaign works with homeless people in the South East of Ireland and helps create a dialogue between secondary school students and individuals who identify or have identified as homeless. We believe that everyone deserves to have their voice heard and want to encourage people to use theirs. We all have a chance to make a difference and we need to stand up for all people living on our island and farther afield as well.

Our Story So Far....

The One Campaign for Change started in November 2015 when Abbey Community College Justice Group and Ard Scoil na Mara Peace & Justice went to a series of workshops with Dr. Phil Brennan of the Romero Institute and the High Hopes Choir in the Edmund Rice Centre in the heart of Waterford City. The workshops focused on Homelessness in 21st Century Ireland and reached out to students by introducing them to individuals who have/continue to identify as homeless. These young people were so inspired by the honesty and bravery the homeless had when telling their stories that they believed they could do something to make a difference. They decided to join forces and run a series of awareness campaigns via social media. And so the One Campaign was born. From here, information days were held with speakers like Father Peter McVerry and Sister Stanislaus Kennedy encouraging more and more people to get involved.

What Have We Done?

Up to now, we have worked hard trying to make a difference to the lives of the homeless in Ireland. This Includes;

• Organised Christmas Carol Service with High Hopes
• Sleepouts
• Bucket Collections
• Video Campaign
• Campaign Days
• Petitioning in Dublin at CAS

What Are We Doing?

Humans of the South-East

Early on in the Campaign, we felt that people needed to hear the stories behind the faces. We photographed and interviewed local people who have identified as homeless. They told their heart-breaking stories and we published them on our Facebook page to raise awareness. This project has shown us that you cannot judge a book by its cover: everyone can become homeless.

Online Campaign for Change

We decided to take our campaigning online and start a petition using change.org. We have devised a charter of action which is broken into 3 strands:

• Increase social housing as a matter of urgency
• Introduce interim measures to ease the immediate crisis
• Prevent the banks from evicting people from their homes and promote the mortgage to rent scheme so that no more families have to go through the ignominy of being forced out of their family home.

Student Testimonials

Mark Hartery-Ard Scoil na Mara

Homelessness is something that many people do not take seriously in Ireland and it should not be acceptable in such a proud and forward-thinking society like Ireland's, I don't want to say that I sat there and did nothing. I think its very important to be generous to others and to try and make where you live better for everyone. After all, we're all just a paycheck away from it. Being a part of the campaign has really benefited me also. I wanted to get involved because I can see how much of an issue it really is and is destroying families and individuals alike. It's very rewarding to give back and to see how your work can make a difference. I would urge everyone to get behind this campaign and help make history.

Jacques Kinane-Middleton CBS

Hi, My name is Jacques and I'm a member of Midleton CBS Peace and Justice group. Our Peace and Justice group was set up after we attended a workshop in Mount Sion with the High Hopes Choir, Father Peter McVerry and 3 other schools. I was touched by the stories of the High Hopes Choir and by Fr. Peter McVerry's experience. Before this I assumed that homeless people were homeless through their own fault. Instead I saw the human side of homelessness and knew that something must be done. We set up our Peace and Justice group and immediately got to work organising a sleepout to raise funds and awareness. We got to see what it's like to sleep outside in the cold, but what touched me most was when we went into Cork City with one of our teachers and a contact of the school who both volunteer with the Simon Community to have a tour of Cork City from a homeless persons point of view. In just under 2 hours we felt how vulnerable people feel whether it was us who seemed threatening or us feeling threatened. This showed me how important our campaign is, not only to be done in school but to be continued until Homelessness is gone for good.

Alana Daly Mulligan-Abbey Community College

I feel so lucky being apart of this campaign! When my school's Justice Group came to the information day in November, we were all so moved and touched by the stories the High Hopes told that we knew this project was special and that we wanted to make a difference. Everyone was so positive and really wanted to help change the stigma around homelessness. I really wanted to use all my skills to help the project so created several short videos to raise awareness-it was great because everyone was so supportive when feeding back and giving ideas. Working with the other schools has been great too! We've made friends with young from all across the country-like minded young people who want to make a difference. It's very inspiring and then working with the High Hopes is completely humbling, they are the most down to earth and wonderful people with so much courage. I really hope people get behind this campaign!

How YOU Can Get Involved!!

Spread the Word!

• Talk to your teachers about setting up a Justice Group-It’s a positive use of your time
• Talk about issues with your friends and family

Sign the Petition on Change.org

• you can find links on all our social media
• Share the petition with your friends (the more the merrier!)

Visit Our Website

We have a brand-new website up and running as of the 5th April 2016. Visit Us there to get in touch and learn more about us!

Get Social With Us!

Like, Share, Re-tweet, love heart, comment-we want to hear you! You have a voice that can make a difference, get involved with us on Social media and keep up to date with all our progress!