OUR STORY
Killarney Asylum Seekers Initiative (KASI) was set up in the year 2000 by the Parish Council of St. Mary’s Cathedral in response to the government’s new programme of dispersal of people seeking protection in Ireland. Members of the initiative also included representatives of two other churches in Killarney – the Methodist Church and Church of Ireland, as well as people from other community groups and individuals, including local people and people seeking protection.
Three years later, KASI received funding from the EU through the European Refugee Fund to enable the group to operate a professional drop-in service and resource centre for international protection applicants, and to employ a Project Coordinator. As the work of KASI has evolved and developed, KASI’s support and services extended to refugees and other migrants in the wider Killarney region.
To reflect this evolving range of support, KASI has since changed its name to Killarney Immigrant Support Centre, with ‘KASI’ kept as its legal name. In recognition of KASI’s work, the organisation was awarded a 2021 IPB Pride of Place Award in the Community Resilience category. This all-island competition recognises improvements made by local communities to create civic pride in their area.
From the spring of 2022, thousands of people fleeing the war in Ukraine arrived in Killarney. KASI immediately responded to help meet the needs of new arrivals, and continues to provide tailored support services to people who have fled the conflict. KASI is also a member of the County Emergency Response group, led by Kerry County Council. This work continues under the backdrop of KASI’s ongoing work – to support any international protection applicants, refugees and other migrants in the area and to promote their integration into the local community.
OUR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
- To provide a multi functional space for drop-in services, meetings, coordination, training and intercultural events
- To provide information relevant to the needs of the service users
- To plan and implement various activities including; education, language support, health, social and intercultural events
- To provide support to individuals and families in Direct Provision
- To undertake awareness raising work in the local community on international protection and general immigration issues; and engage in advocacy work
- To liaise with local agencies through referrals or joints initiatives and to enhance service provision
- Network with other relevant agencies and service providers, sharing best practice and contributing to policy development
OUR TEAM
- Marilyn Catapat-Counihan – KASI Manager
- Antonina Sushchenko – Development Worker
- Yuliya Spillane – Development Worker
- Nataliia Arakcheieva – Development Worker
- Rebecca Leen – Development Worker
- Eva Geraghty – Family Support/Youth Worker
- Ninfa Robson – Support Worker
- Louise O’Connor – Development Worker/Team Leader, Millstreet Outreach
- Bilikis Aileru – After School Worker
- Brian Vandamme – Development Worker
OUR BOARD
- Sheila Casey – Chairperson
- Mary Fitzgerald – Deputy Chair
- Mike Riordan – Director
- Michael Gleeson – Director
- Bernadette Osterloh – Director
- Louise Gaughran – Director
- Joan Crowley – Director
OUR CORE FUNDERS
- European Union through Asylum Migration and Integration Funds, administered by Dept. of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- HSE – South
- TUSLA – Child and Family Agency
KEY SUPPORTERS
- One Foundation
- St. Brendan’s Trust
- Little Company of Mary
- Ireland Funds
