Students Harness Aid For The Relief of The Elderly - Recognition and Media Coverage

Recognition and Media Coverage

Since the opening of the first SHARE homes in 1976, complexes have been opened by Taoiseach Jack Lynch, President Hillery, President Mary Robinson, then Minister for Health and Children Micheal Martin TD, and the various Lord Mayors of Cork. On the opening of the 100th SHARE house, President Hillery said: "SHARE's achievements demonstrate a generosity and dedication on the part of young people which is an inspiration and challenge to us all". In 2002, the SHARE Day Care Centre was visited by President Mary McAleese. Later, in 2006, President McAleese acknowledged the work "which changed bad lives into good."

Each year since Br. Jerome’s death, the Br. Jerome Lecture has been held in his honour, on social issues and the involvement of SHARE in the community. Guest speakers in the past have included Micheal Martin, Pat Cox and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. The Taoiseach described the SHARE project as "a model of active citizenship", "character building" and "satisfying and empowering":

"None of this would have happened without the pioneering spirit, activism and leadership skills of Brother Jerome. He was, truly, a man who was ahead of his time. I think it is particularly appropriate that the Day Care Centre is named after him. Loneliness is itself a form of poverty and the Brother Jerome Kelly Day Care Centre and the social activities which the students organise around it do so much to alleviate this. Together, they bring a lot of joy to residents and visitors, which is a very fitting memorial to his life and work."

The work of SHARE has also received significant attention in both local and national media over the years. The British newspaper The Guardian described the project as "Imaginative, courageous and exciting", while Dick Cross of The Irish Independent labelled it as: "One of the most imaginative and practical projects ever undertaken in this country". Tom McSweeney of RTÉ said the "exciting venture by Cork's youth has brought new life to the old city", and similarly Padraigh O' Morain of The Irish Times described it as "one of Ireland's great success stories". In 2005, it was further acclaimed as a demonstration of "the magnificent generosity of the Cork people".

In 2007, the SHARE residents endorsed the organisation's 38th Christmas Fast & Fundraising Campaign. During part of the collection, eight members of the Executive sang a version of "Winter Wonderland" in Daunt Square for Irish radio station 2FM.