TY students participating in the Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders (EREBB) project presented to Gaisce students on homelessness today in preparation for their upcoming sleep out. The EREBB is an international network of Catholic schools dedicated to educating young people from diverse faiths and cultures. Inspired by the teachings of Jesus, Gospel values, and the spirit of Edmund Rice, EREBB schools encourage students to become advocates for social justice and positive change.
Today’s presentation, which involved extensive research and thoughtful discussion, challenged perceptions of homelessness, emphasising that this issue goes beyond rough sleeping to include ‘hidden homelessness’ faced by many without a permanent home. Gaisce students asked insightful questions and shared their reflections on this urgent social concern. They discussed how best to call for action from political representatives. Many thanks to Cormac McArt, director of the Westcourt Centre, an Edmund Rice ministry based in Belfast, for joining us. Since 2008 the centre has been involved in advocacy work around homelessness at local, national and international levels. 
Well done to Patrick O’Brien, Conor Harte, Éabhan Kehoe, Conor Ryan, Tommy Hoyne, Jaysen John, Donnacha Maher, and Julian Szuszkiewicz for their dedication and hard work in preparing this impactful presentation.
As part of their commitment to advocacy, all Gaisce students will be participating in the Edmund Rice International ‘Sleep Out’ on November 21, alongside fellow Edmund Rice schools across the globe. Taking place at the Edmund Rice Heritage Centre, this sleep-out event aims to raise awareness of the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness and to foster empathy within our communities. This initiative is a powerful example of global solidarity and the Edmund Rice mission in action.