Loretta Kenny, secretary, and Joe McGuire, founder member of Mayo Addiction and Suicide Awareness (MAASA), presenting a cheque for €9,196. 61 to Mary McNicholas, national coordinator, and Tom Brophy, national chairman, Victim Assistance, Kiltimagh. PHOTOS: FRANK DOLAN
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Joe McGuire, founder member, and Loretta Kenny, secretary, MAASA, presenting a cheque for €10, 400 to Aubrey Melville, CEO, Social Ground Force.
AFTER 12 years, Mayo Addiction And Suicide Awareness (MAASA) has wound down, donating its remaining funds to Social Ground Force and Victim Assistance.
MAASA’s Castlebar and Ballina stores ceased operations at the end of 2022.
They have officially closed the charity and in accordance with the Charity Regulator’s guidelines, have donated remaining funds to two worthy charities – Social Ground Force, who took over for MAASA in Ballina, and Victim Assistance, based in Kiltimagh, who are wished continued success.
For the past 12 years, MAASA has been helping vulnerable people and their families around Mayo struggling with addiction, substance abuse and mental health issues which often lead to suicidal thoughts.
The decision to wind down operations was made due to the retirement of founder Joe McGuire.
As part of the wind-down process, MAASA divided its remaining funds, totalling €19,596, donating €10,400 to Social Ground Force and €9,196 to Victim Assistance. The recipient charities were chosen based on their alignment with MAASA’s objectives and its track record of making a positive impact in the community.
“We are proud of the work that MAASA has done over the years and the impact we have made on the community,” said Joe McGuire. “While it is difficult to wind down operations, we are pleased that our remaining funds will be used to support the important work of Social Ground Force and Victim Assistance.”
Social Ground Force expressed its gratitude for the donation, stating that it will be used to further its mission of helping people in the community with mental illness and suicidal thoughts.
Victim Assistance also expressed its gratitude, saying it will go a long way towards helping victims of assault, crime or trauma cope with the physical and emotional impacts of their victimisation and to help them with the resources they need to move forward.
MAASA has been working closely with both charities to ensure that all legal requirements are met during the wind-down process.
Joe would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff and volunteers who helped MAASA operations run smoothly over the years and the many therapists, healthcare professionals and gardaí, whom, in conjunction with MAASA, have been instrumental in saving many lives.