Executive Statement from Our Director of Services
Grace Madzikanda | Director of Services
We are not just opening a new house—we are expanding a vision.
I am incredibly proud and honoured to announce the official opening of Iris Lodge, the third residential centre under Rainbow Community Services. This milestone is not just the launch of another home; it’s the continuation of a journey I began 17 years ago when I first joined
this organisation.
Over the past decade and a half, I have witnessed our service evolve from a small company into a bigger provider of trauma-informed, high-quality residential care for children and young people across Ireland. With the opening of Iris Lodge, we extend our reach, deepen our commitment, and strengthen our promise to be a safe, consistent, and empowering presence in the lives of vulnerable adolescents.
Iris Lodge reflects the values at the core of Rainbow Community Services—compassion, structure, excellence, and hope. It has been purposefully designed to support adolescents aged 12–18 with complex emotional and behavioural needs. This new centre is more than just a building; it is a therapeutic environment where healing can begin and futures can be rewritten.
The opening of Iris Lodge on **May 9th, 2025** marks a significant milestone in our strategic development, and I am delighted that it is also the first step in delivering on the promise of growth and innovation made by our CEO, Mark Sheedy, who joined us in 2022. Since joining, Mark has led with ambition and clarity, pushing forward an aggressive growth plan. Today, I am proud to say that Iris Lodge is the first of many new centres we intend to open under his leadership.
As a proud member of the Board of Directors, I look forward to the future of Rainbow Community Services with excitement and purpose. Together—with our team, our young people, and our partners—we continue our mission to create spaces where every child is seen, heard, and supported to thrive.
Warm regards,
Grace Madzikanda
Director of Services
Rainbow Community Services