~ Humans of CLDC ~
The “Humans of CLDC” campaign is an effort to appreciate the humans behind the work we do at CLDC. It is our staff who make us special, and good at what we do. Below, you can see some of the members of our staff who make it all happen!
Each staff member had the same five questions to answer. We hope you enjoy getting to know the people who are such an important part of our team!
MONICA MCKENNA is is the Coordinator for our Ukrainian Response team in the SICAP program (Social Inclusion and Community Activation)
1. What is something you find inspiring or joyful?
“Spending time By the Sea and with my family and friends (limited time that is :-)) “
2. What is one thing that you find scary, hard, annoying, or challenging?
“Meeting new people and finding myself in new situations is something I find scary and challenging. “
3. What is one superpower you have?
“I hope my superpower is resilience, but would love to be able to teleport if I was ever to be granted a superpower.”
4. What is one way you are hoping to grow in the next year?
“Not sure, given I love the sea, possibly sea swim, if I can get over how cold the sea is.”
5. What is one reason you love your job?
“The sense of achievement in being able to help others and the communities and people I work with.”
AOIFE BURKE is our Human Resources Assistant.
1. What is something you find inspiring or joyful?
“My 2 kids…and wine and not necessarily in that order 😆 “
2. What is one thing that you find scary, hard, annoying, or challenging (in life)?
“Ageing!! I still think I’m 20 but the mirror says otherwise 🙂 ”
3. What is one superpower you have?
“My directness and ability to cut through the bulls**t.”
4. What is one way you are hoping to grow in the next year?
“To get fitter, stronger and healthier and hopefully look 10 years younger 🙂 ”
5. What is one reason you love your job?
“The people – we work with amazing people many of which have become great friends.”
IRYNA HRYSHKANYCH works as an Employment Support Officer. Ukraine Response, providing employment support to displaced Ukrainians in County Clare, CV support, organizing trainings and courses and helping people to get employment.
1. What is something you find inspiring or joyful?
“Reading books on psychology, travelling and hiking.”
2. What is one thing that you find scary, hard, annoying, or challenging (in life)?
“Negativity has a bad impact on me, but I manage not to let it have a big influence on me.”
3. What is one superpower you have?
“Cheerful spirit.”
4. What is one way you are hoping to grow in the next year?
“I would like to overcome fear of Public Speaking.”
5. What is one reason you love your job?
“Engagement with clients and being able to help them.”
KIERAN LINEHAN is a supervisor for the Rural Social Scheme and TUS..
1. What is something you find inspiring or joyful?
“The simple things in life I find inspiring, things we all take for granted like being in good health, appreciation of family and good friends and loved ones. I smile when I hear my children tell me of new things they learn, discover. I like to help others in any small way with something they need, be it a little help with what they might find difficult. I aspire and am attracted to like minded people with a good sense of humour and a positive outlook.“
2. What is one thing that you find scary, hard, annoying, or challenging?
“There are many challenges we all face in life. Personally I don’t feel scared of a challenge, and have always faced them head on, if I fail I dust myself down, shake it off & try again to do better the next time. It’s important to have a positive attitude believing in one’s own abilities to help overcome difficulties in life at any given time, as best one can.”
3. What is one superpower you have?
“Cannot reveal same, as its no longer ‘A SuperPower’ if revealed 
“
4. What is one way you are hoping to grow in the next year?
“I don’t really measure growth annually on a personal level as the last few years have been challenge for everyone. As long as I can appreciate the simple things that help me grow I’m content enough. I’d like to drive a sports car in Mondello, with someone who is afraid of speed, (I have a few co drivers in mind) scare them in a good way, to feel that adrenaline rush for all, leaving safe and happy obviously. Run a 5k in sub 20mins on a Saturday morning park run. Maybe also get cycling more this year, learn to swim properly & take a foreign holiday to catch up on some travel missed out in recent years. “
5. What is one reason you love your job?
“When I hear or see others having a successful placement on the schemes I supervise; where some progress to full time employment, or others retire content, I loved that I helped in a little way.”
SONIA MILLAR is a Homework & Mindfulness Tutor in our Homework Club program
1. What is something you find inspiring or joyful?
“I have a weakness for leisurely mornings at Farmer’s Markets.“
2. What is one thing that you find scary, hard, annoying, or challenging?
“Endless laundry scares me. “
3. What is one superpower you have?
“Cuteness is my superpower!!!”
4. What is one way you are hoping to grow in the next year?
“I’d love to walk & experience The Camino next year. “
5. What is one reason you love your job?
“What I do and who I am are beautifully interconnected.
There is a beautiful word I feel is quiet fitting – Ikigai.
Ikigai (生き甲斐, “a reason for being”) is a Japanese concept referring to having a direction or purpose in life, providing a sense of fulfillment and towards which the person may take actions, giving them satisfaction and a sense of meaning. My work with children is my passion, vocation, profession, and mission…. my Ikigai.
I am a mental health advocate, helping others come back to themselves, exposing ourselves to techniques that help us to grow into living healthier lives.
Holding space for children in homework club & offering mindfulness classes provides me with a sense of fulfillment, satisfaction and a sense of meaning. 
“
AGNES O’SHAUGNESSY is the coordinator for our LEADER program.
1. What is something you find inspiring or joyful?
“My Children are my inspiration and guaranteed to bring a smile and a reason to push past any difficult days.”
2. What is one thing that you find scary, hard, annoying, or challenging?
“Uncertainty! the fear of what might happen in the future.”
3. What is one superpower you have?
“I raised four children (the last is 3/4 way there!)- getting through teenage years is a superpower on its own! (Add to that a dog, 3 cats, a turtle and far too many goldfish to count!) Ok maybe I didn’t do a great job on the goldfish – but that’s a glass of wine conversation!”
4. What is one way you are hoping to grow in the next year?
“I’d love to master living more in the moment. I feel I miss so much by thinking ahead in 1.5 speed! Running a 5k is also on my wish list!”
5. What is one reason you love your job?
The standout part for me is to see someone’s dream/vision become a reality to meet someone/or a group with an idea, nurture the idea with them and go through a process of development alongside them & later see that idea become a reality. “
CATHERINE O’HALLORAN is our receptionist in the CLDC office.
1. What is something you find inspiring or joyful?
“Inspiring … I love Nature and I enjoy spending time in the garden . Joy.. My 2 boys , they have grown into 2 fine young men.”
2. What is one thing that you find scary, hard, annoying, or challenging (in life)?
“Spiders!!!”
3. What is one superpower you have?
“I put people at ease by chatting with them.“
4. What is one way you are hoping to grow in the next year?
“I don’t set goals . But I intend to keep enjoying life, not everyone is afforded the pleasure of getting old, my brother died at 53 .. he has missed so much with his family. So I treasure every day.“
5. What is one reason you love your job?
“I love meeting people.“