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About Us

Novas Initiatives has become one of Ireland’s main providers of services to adults who are homeless. These are primarily low threshold facilities, operating the harm reduction model.

We are a Charity and  a voluntary agency working with families, single people and unaccompanied minors who are disadvantaged and socially excluded; primarily those who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. We offer client centred services and promote social justice. 

What make us different? Certainly there are many voluntary groups who provide good services. When we describe our services as ‘client centred’ it means that we develop care and supports based on the professionally assessed needs of clients. We do not decide on a service and then look for clients who we think match the requirements. Our acceptance of all clients simply acknowledges the individuality and uniqueness of each client and where the person is at; we do not judge. Many of our clients are on the margins of society. Inevitably, it means that many existing services feel unable to include these people as clients; indeed, some are denied access to these services.  We start where others stop; that is the difference. Research shows that people are much more likely to sustain settlement on a long term basis if they have gained social, educational and employment skills. We apply this to our work by offering opportunities to clients to gain these skills.

Our core values are

  • Dignity
  • Non – judgemental approach
  • Rights based society
  • Fulfilment of the person

Our core objectives are:

  • To alleviate poverty
  • To promote equality and diversity, advocacy, participation and needs led servies
  • To champion social justice, inclusion, economic equality, right to meaningful work, self determination and cultual expression.

In 2005, the UK based charity Novas Ouvertures and Arlington Novas Irealnd separated with each having entirely separate and distinct legal status. This was put into effect on September 1st 2005.

Our Head office is based at 1 Mungret Street, Limerick City and governance is through a Board of Directors who are unpaid for their work and who are elected at the AGM. Our Chief Executive Officer reports to the Board and ensures that their decisions are implemented. We are funded by the HSE, Dept. of the Environment and the relevant local Authorities and are compliant with all obligations required by Comman Law and other relevant legislation. We currently have 120 employees. Financial, audit, human resources, equality and diversity, health and safety policies and procedure apply in all aspects of our services and administration.

 

 
At the recent publication of our Annual report the Deputy Mayor of Limerick Cllr Diarmuid Scully, Spoke of that time in the bitterly cold winter of 2000 when a number of homeless people died on the streets of Limerick. He thanked Novas for the work that is being done and for the Lives that have been saved as a result. Representing the Government Deputy Timmy Dooley said that when success is being measured in the saving of lives then something real is being achieved. Deputy Dooley wished Novas every success going forward in caring for the very vulnerable in society. Mr Tony Quilty spoke on behalf of the HSE, saying that the commitment that Novas has, is reflected in its holistic care for the Homeless. He noted the caption within the annual report ....." We start where others stop " ... and encouraged Novas to keep starting.
© 2012 Novas.ie