Christ City Church are teaming up with ACET Ireland to provide Christmas hampers to families across Dublin
Who are ACET and what do they do?
ACET Ireland is an organisation working towards improving the lives of those living with and affected by HIV in Ireland. Since 1992, ACET have been working with some of the most vulnerable members of Irish society, engaging particularly with those affected by polydrug use. While initially founded as a Christian response to supporting those dying from AIDS in the early 1990’s, medical advances have changed the role of ACET’s care to working with people living with HIV as a chronic health condition. Significant levels of HIV-related stigma remain for those at the margins of society, and the legacies of the past continue to impact them. ACET is committed to working in these margins with a highly-relational model of care, seeking to bring about positive change by establishing relationships of equality and trust. Through these relationships the organisation provides practical and emotional support, whilst also acknowledging the complexities of health, poverty, addiction, housing, family dynamics and social disadvantage.
What is involved with the Christmas hampers?
Christmas hampers are one part of the care offered to each of ACET’s clients’ families. It is always a lovely way to close the year and provides a great opportunity to check in with clients, as well as acknowledging the difficulties so prevalent at Christmas time. Hampers provide practical items such as food and toiletries, and a few Christmas goodies to help families alleviate some of the Christmas pressures. Each hamper is tailored to meet individual needs and is delivered with an end of year care call, which reflects ACET’s values of placing high importance on relationships. Through the generosity of many individuals, churches, schools and other organisations, ACET are able to provide a hamper for each of their clients’ families every year.
This year has looked different…
Like everyone in Ireland this year, ACET has had to adapt and change how
we do what we do: supporting people who are affected by HIV. Some things
have changed – where we meet, how we connect – but the important things
haven’t. We are still committed to our relationships with those in our care, listening,
laughing, lamenting, being there with them.
For us, each year ends on a very positive care piece: a December visit
and check in with people to see how they are coming into what is often a
troubled time. At the same time we bring them a hamper provided
specifically for them by one of our supporters.
This year will be the same, but just as we’ve changed how we meet people
– relying much more on phone calls and video chats – we have to change
how we do hampers for the safety of our clients and staff.
How can I get involved?
Again this year Christ City Church are hoping to provide Christmas Hampers to local families. It’s been a super project to support. This year looks a little different that we’re encouraging each City Group to consider sponsoring one person/couple (50 euros) or one family (100 euros) – and CCC will match whatever is raised by City Groups. Each hamper has a specific profile (see below example from last year), which is passed on to us, so we can know more about the person(s) and also to pray for them. ACET staff will then deliver the hampers safely in the two weeks leading up to Christmas. These hampers are hugely appreciated every year and offer great practical support to families and individuals.
Here are the three Hamper profile from last years:
By: Olivia Corbett