Young Charity Leader Recognised in
New Year’s Honours List

This year’s Queens New Year’s Honours list has recognised the achievements of one of the youngest charity leaders on the island of Ireland. Kerry Anthony, Chief Executive of Depaul Ireland, has been awarded the MBE for her services to homeless people. Kerry is also one of the youngest recipients of the MBE in this year’s awards list.

Depaul Ireland provides services for homeless and socially excluded people on both sides of the border, primarily in Belfast and Dublin. The charity provides accommodation and community based services for homeless and vulnerable young people.

Ms Anthony, 35, has led the charity since 2006, a period which has seen the charity grow considerably to one which is now one of the major providers of services in Ireland, north and south. Also under her stewardship the charity has become a leader and influence in advocating for the rights for those in our society who require the most assistance. The charity has pioneered a number of services which focus on vulnerable people who require low threshold approaches to meet their needs.

Herbert Graham, Chairman of Depaul Ireland stated;
“Kerry is one of the youngest leaders in the voluntary and charity sector in Ireland. She brings huge energy, skill and commitment to her work and has steered the development of this cross border charity through the complexities of the last three years. We are delighted for Kerry to be given this honour. It truly recognises her considerable achievements within the voluntary sector”.

Mark Mc Greevey, Chief Executive of Depaul International stated;
“One of the Kerry’s defining characteristics is her relentless drive in promoting social justice and meeting the needs of vulnerable and marginalised people. Depaul Ireland’s current strategic plan is entitled “Why Not?” and encapsulates the approach of Kerry in how she challenges those around her not to ignore the marginalised.

This commitment provides inspiration for service users, volunteers, staff and peers. It is refreshing and gratifying to see this Year’s New Years Honours recognise a young leader who represents the needs of those people who generally do not have a voice”.

Kerry Anthony
Kerry was born in Craigavon, Co. Armagh, grew up in Waringstown and went to school in Lurgan Girls Junior High and Lurgan College. She is a graduate of Queens University and holds two masters, one in Social Work from Glasgow University and the other in Voluntary Sector Management from Cass Business School in City University London.

Kerry commenced her career 13 years ago when she moved to London to work in a semi voluntary role with men experiencing homeless. Since then she has had a variety of positions in both the voluntary and statutory sector working with homeless people in London, Glasgow, Belfast and Dublin.

Service provision and turnover
Depaul Ireland manages 12 specialised services between Belfast and Dublin, providing over 300 bed spaces per night. The organisation was established in Dublin in 2002 and in Belfast in 2005. The estimated annual turnover is €9 million euro between both jurisdictions.

Depaul International
Depaul Ireland is part of Depaul International a group of charities working in Ireland, UK, Eastern Europe and USA.