In October, 2000 the Centre began when the founder Sr. Celestine Forrest succeeded in securing a room from the Mercy Sisters and so began the project of teaching English to Asylum Seekers. Since the project began there was a huge growth in the number of Asylum Seekers in Cork, which led to larger number needing English classes.
In recent years it became clear that there was a need for English classes for other immigrants in the Cork area who couldn’t afford paid classes and were in danger of becoming marginalised.
The Centre has now widened its scope to include refugees and unemployed immigrants, many who have come from the new accession countries in the EU.
From a starting point of just one class with a handful of students the centre has grown to cater for 200 students a day with the help of 45 volunteer tutors.
