About the Open Community

Learn about The Open Community's mission, vision, and values, and how we work in solidarity with communities across Ireland to strengthen community welcome.

Our mission

We work in solidarity with communities across Ireland and in collaboration with Government to enable, support, and connect community welcome. Our mission is to expand the country's capacity to offer lasting sanctuary and belonging to people in need of protection.

Our vision

We envision an Ireland, and a world, where communities are strengthened through the act of welcome and where everyone in need of protection finds safety and belonging.

 

Our values in practice

 

Community

We believe in the power of people coming together; acts of welcome strengthen and enrich us all. 

Humanity

We see people as people, never problems to solve, and stand in solidarity with those seeking safety and belonging. 

Integrity

We earn trust through honesty, transparency, and aligning our words with our actions.

Courage

We are bold; we persist in difficult contexts, challenging exclusionary systems and narratives. 

Learning

We evolve and adapt, open to reflection and innovation, always seeking the best path forward. 

Impact

We measure success by real-world outcomes, holding ourselves accountable and inviting accountability from others.

 

How we work

 

Community Connection

Our community of welcomers is at the heart of what we do. Via our peer support network and welcomer helpline, we offer a listening ear, encouraging words, and a chance to connect with others on this journey.

Partner Network

We collaborate with local and national partner organisations to coordinate welcome efforts and share best practice. We partner with the Irish government to implement Ireland’s Humanitarian Admissions Programme. 

Research and Innovation

Our EU-funded research projects place us at the forefront of innovation in the community sponsorship and labour mobility spaces. Working with partner organisations across Europe, we learn and evolve on an international scale.

 

Our Team

Meet the people running the programmes, building the partnerships, and making community welcome work for everyone.

 

  • Geraldine Harvey

    Geraldine Harvey

    Interim Executive Director
  • Anna Kierans

    Anna Kierans

    Community Sponsorship Officer
  • Iryna Bondar

    Iryna Bondar

    Corporate Outreach & Engagement Officer
  • Jeff Schwartz

    Jeff Schwartz

    Communications & Marketing Manager

 

Our Board

Meet the people whose experience and judgement help us grow with purpose and stay true to our mission, vision, and values.

 

  • Colm O’Gorman

    Public Advocacy & Social Justice, Chairperson

    Colm O’Gorman is a human rights advocate, author, and former Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland, with more than 30 years’ experience in public advocacy and social justice campaigning. He is the founder of One in Four, supporting survivors of sexual violence, and has played a leading role in campaigns on equality, LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights, and mental health reform in Ireland. Colm is also a former member of Seanad Éireann and a regular commentator on human rights and social issues.

  • David Stanton

    Consultant, Alice PR

    David served as a TD from 1997 to 2024, holding the role of Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality from 2016 to 2020 with responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration. In addition to The Open Community, he serves on the boards of The Open Doors Initiative, MyPlace Youth and Community Centre, and the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland.

  • Jeanne McDonagh

    CEO of the Open Doors Initiative

    Jeanne has over 30 years’ experience in inclusion, politics, campaigning, migration, mental health and LGBTQ+ issues, and board membership. She has bipolar which informs her work through lived experience.

  • Melissa Bosch

    DEI Leader, Ireland, Ernst & Young

    Melissa is the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leader, Ireland for Ernst & Young, bringing extensive experience in culture, leadership and organisational transformation across the public, private and non-profit sectors. She also serves as a Non-Executive Director of Trócaire and as Brand Director for the AUDACITY Conference by the Black Irish Sisters Network, championing inclusive leadership and lasting social impact.

 

 

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