Social Services News- April 2015

Welcome to our New Executive Director

Last month CIIS welcomed Micheal Collins as our new executie director. Michael Collins recently joined the Chicago Irish Immigrant Support as the new Executive Director. Michael was born in Chicago and has spent time studying and living abroad in Ireland and Belgium. Michael has worked for advocacy and nonprofit groups in the past. In 2011, he worked for Ocean Youth Trust Ireland, based out of Belfast, Northern Ireland. While there, he helped bring young people from diverse backgrounds together through sailing and other outdoor activities. Michael returned to Chicago to complete his undergraduate degree in Political Science from St. Xavier University. During the last year of his undergraduate degree, he worked as a field organizer for Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth’s campaign for the United States Congress. He left the campaign in September of 2012 to pursue a Master’s degree in International Relations from Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland. Michael then went on to complete an additional Master’s degree in Public International Law from the University of Kent in Brussels, Belgium. Michael brings enthusiasm, professionalism, and a strong work ethic to the Executive Director post.

Darkness into Light

The Darkness into Light 5k walk/run benefiting CIIS and Irish based charity Pieta House, will take place on Saturday 9^th May 2015. The walk raises awareness and funds for suicide and self-harm. Darkness into Light is an international event that will take place in over 80 venues in Ireland, the UK, Australia, Canada, and for the first time, the US.

In Chicago, the walk/run kicks off at 4.30am on Saturday 9th May along the lakefront while it still dark, but as participants finish the 5k route, dawn is breaking across Lake Michigan. This symbolizes the journey of those who are feeling suicidal from the darkness of despair into the bright hope of a new day.

We are inviting the entire Irish community to get involved in Darkness into Light. Registration to participate in the walk/run is open and all are welcome to sign up and donate. We are also looking for sponsors to help us offset the significant costs of staging the event (event permits, equipment rental, parking fees etc.). Anyone interested in this sponsorship opportunity should contact Paul Dowling on 776-282-8445 or pdowling@irishchicago.org.  to register visit the CIIS website at www.irishchicago.org.