Vision

We want to welcome migrants into a community of right relations where they can work towards their full potential and enjoy parity of esteem and equal opportunity.

Values

  • Right Relations where everyone receives their entitlements, give what they owe, and engage in fair exchange
  • Diversity and Integration: Everyone's uniqueness is recognised and included in a web of right relations.
  • Equality & Solidarity: We are all equal and have each other's back as we face threats and opportunities in the pursuit of the good of each for the benefit of all.
  • Inclusion & Cohesion: When two populations join in one economy the overall sense of relative deprivation, and hence misery, is greater than the sum of the misery of both populations. We choose to work at entry level, from the bottom up, rather than from the top down, because it reduces misery rather than lifts the big yachts.
  • Quality Decision Making: By iteration of a process of establishing facts, understanding situations, reaching evidence-based conclusions, deliberating on lines of action, and choosing value-based strategies, we will continually improve the quality of our decision making.
  • Local & Global: We will work locally, network regionally (NI-wide) and learn internationally in order to improve the lives of migrants.

Our Team 

Alicja Moates

Chairperson

Born in Poland. She manages the logistics for a local food manufacturer. Alicja is active in her local community.

Brendan MacPartlin

Secretary

Holds a doctorate in and lectured on Social Ethics and Employment Relations for many decades in his hometown of Dublin. He was the Coordinator of Social Justice for European Jesuits before joining Iona Community in Portadown. He is a founder member of Migrant Support Service.

Francisa Soares

Board member

Born in East Timor. Worked as the education national coordinator in the Timor-Leste National Commission for UNESCO. Holds a bachelor's degree from Waikato University, New Zealand, and currently completing an online master's degree in Education with Leadership.

Frank Brady/Frainc Mac Brádaigh

Board member

Was involved in pastoral care and community development for many decades in Dublin before joining the Jesuit community in Portadown. Director of Irish language publications company, Timire -FÁS (Foilseacháin Ábhair Spioradálta)

Hemiterio Mario Mendes

Board Member

Born in Guinea Bissau, qualified in Nursing in Morocco on a government scholarship, OCN Level 4 in Community Interpreting, speaks Creole, Portuguese, French and English

Gary Moates

Board member

Native of Portadown. He is a director of a local logistics Company. He is involved in many community activities working to bring people together and helping with social issues

Miguel Rodrigues

Board Member

Born in Oporto, Portugal. He is involved in community activities helping with social issues

Lucia Rosca

CEO

Born in Moldova. Holds a master's in Business Administration, Bachelor's degrees in Law, and Bachelor's degrees in Administrative Sciences

Daniel Gouveia

Integration Manager

Born in Madeira, Portugal. He was a manager in retail before coming to Portadown. He has been helping migrants since he began his journey to Ireland in 2003

Cristina Viana da Costa

Integration Assistant

Born in Oporto. Worked as a legal secretary in Portugal before coming to Co. Armagh in in 2014 with her partner and two children

Sr Yvonne Jennings

Volunteer English Teacher

Worked as Head of Drumcree High School before teaching English as a Foreign Language in Slovakia. After seven years she returned to Portadown as leader of the Presentation Community. She has taught English as a Foreign Language with Migrant Support Service for twelve years

Mary Taggart

Volunteer English Teacher

Former teacher in Drumcree High School. Has been teaching English with Migrant Support Service for twelve years

Marion Doagh

Volunteer English Teacher

A former Primary School Teacher. She teaches English as a Foreign Language with MSS

Rosin Hagan Fontes

Volunteer English Teacher

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Tony Creaney

Volunteer English Teacher

Is native to Portadown where he has been engaged in community building. He teaches EFL at MSS

Gabriel Viera

Bilingual Support Volunteer

Born in Romania. Works as an IT specialist with Moypark. Volunteers migrant support for Romanian speakers

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