OVER FORTY AMERICAN students and volunteers provided by the US Embassy in Dublin spent last weekend transforming and refurbishing one of the country’s largest women’s refuges.
Rathmines Women’s Refuge, in Dublin, which houses up to 10 families at any one time, has been helping victims of domestic violence since 1986.
The centre and its gardens received the weekend makeover in a blitz organised by Localise, the youth and community development organisation, in tandem with the US embassy.
Both the embassy and Localise drew on support from students from Notre Dame University currently on exchange in Ireland, embassy staff and members of the Ireland US Alumni Association.
In addition to refurbishing the garden and playground in Rathmines, the volunteers undertook some internal paintwork and improvements.
US Embassy Charges D’affaires Stuart Dwyer visited the Refuge to oversee the work.
Localise director Derek Cleary said that the work showed what can be achieved through volunteerism.
“The makeover illustrated just what can be achieved when young people decide to volunteer their time and give something back to the community.
“The benefits to the centre can be seen physically in the work undertaken but those who gave their time also gained significantly from the empowerment of volunteering and helping out,” he added.
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