This week I received information on one rather interesting service and one community activity that I thought our readers would appreciate knowing more about.

Barnardos - Origins Information and Tracing Service

Barnardos has been providing information, advice and support to people separated from their families of origin through their Adoption Advice Service since 1977. Barnardos Origins Service helps people who grew up in Ireland’s orphanages and industrial schools to trace their family of origin. Experienced professional staff offers advice, support and mediation in searching for your family of origin.

Who can use this service?

If you spent all or part of your childhood in an Irish orphanage or industrial school we can support you in finding out about your family of origin. Barnardos will provide you with help in tracing information about your parents, siblings or other relatives. This service is completely confidential and only staff directly involved in your case will have access to your details.

You can speak with an Origins counselor over the phone or in person. If you are travelling to Ireland in the future (we highly recommend that you make a definite appointment ahead of time to speak with a counselor). The service is supported by the Department of Education and Science and is free of charge to applicants. The Irish Pastoral Centre has been informed that the grant funding for this service is due to expire end of December 2009, so please if you have been thinking about trying to trace you family of origin back in Ireland don’t hesitate to contact Barnardos sooner rather than later.

The information and tracing service is available across Ireland and Barnardos have staff working in Dublin, Cork and Galway.

On a personal note: I spoke with the staff in Barnados and found them very pleasant, understanding and accommodating. The Irish Pastoral Centre has application forms and information brochures in house if you would like to initiate a personal enquiry. Please call Cora at (617) 479-7404 x 13.

If you are interested in getting in touch with the Origins service yourself directly and you are currently living anywhere in the US or outside Ireland you should contact their Dublin office.

Direct Dial: Tel: 011 353 1 453 0355

Location: Hyde Square, 654 South Circular Road, Dublin 8, Ireland.

Email: origins@barnardos.ie

Community Notices:

We mourn the sad sudden loss of Bridie Connolly, Canton. Sincerest sympathy to her husband Noel and all of Bridie’s extended family and circle of friends. May she rest in peace.

Allston Brighton Unsung Heroes Award Committee is seeking nominations.

Deadline is 5:00pm Tuesday March 24, 2009

The committee is currently seeking nominations of people who reside in or volunteer in the Allston Brighton community. They should have made meaningful, beneficial contributions to the people of the Allston-Brighton community. They are looking for the names of youths to seniors who have not been honored in recent years in a major or public way. Those nominated should be individuals who have made a positive difference in the lives of others by consistently volunteering their time outside of their regular jobs. If you have someone in mind contact: Bill Margolin at (617) 783 2267 to get an application form.

The 15^th Annual Awards Ceremony will be held at Boston College on Monday June 8^th 2009.