25 years of hope for Cardiff's homeless young people
16 June 2009
Church Army's Danescourt House, a hostel for homeless young people in Cardiff, celebrates its 25th anniversary on Thursday 18 June.
Events marking the anniversary will be held at its two Cardiff hostels: an 'open house' at Ty Danescourt (as it is now known) - displaying the achievements made over a quarter of a century - followed by a formal celebration at Ty Bronna. Church Army's Chief Executive Mark Russell and the Mayor of Cardiff will speak to guests at Ty Bronna. Mark will speak about Jesus' love for those whose lives are broken, and the "scandal" of homelessness in the 21st Century. Members of the Amber project will give a theatrical performance on the homelessness theme (Amber is a Church Army project which works with young people who have experience of self-harming behaviour).
Danescourt House has spawned other similar projects in Cardiff (known collectively as 'Church Army services') since it first opened its doors in 1984. Through these projects Church Army has provided accommodation for over 1,600 homeless young people in Cardiff, and is very proud that the original vision of Father Martin Reynolds (who will be present at the celebrations) continues today, because of its highly dedicated staff.
It was Martin who fought hard to establish Danescourt House, in partnership with Church Army, after finding two homeless boys on the doorstep of his church in the early 1980s.
Sue Way is the Manager of Ty Danescourt: "The young people that live within Church Army services in Cardiff are with us for a time in their life when they are desperate for accommodation, but also love, understanding, help, and the knowledge that someone cares about them. Some young people comment on why Church Army provides such hospitality, and why strangers sometimes give them presents (at Harvest, Christmas, etc). These youngsters have often been treated badly by those who were supposed to love and protect them, so these examples of God's compassion can be baffling at first."
Whatever the reasons why people arrive at Ty Danescourt (ejected from the family home; abuse; isolation; depression) the positive outcomes continue to show that God's compassion is changing their lives immeasurably. It might be the day that a young girl moves with confidence and excitement into her own flat, or the first time a young boy trusts a member of staff enough to ask for their help.
To the many hundreds who have benefited from these services, Church Army represents the time when hope entered their lives.
