Our History

The Avista Foundation story (formerly known as Respect) has its origins in the 1960s with the ‘Friends of St Vincent’s’ fundraising to supplement income from the Health Board, enabling the Disability Support Service to provide for additional furniture, fittings and facilities and to reduce the traditional institutional features of their centres. In the early 1970s, the Friends, together with substantial support from the Licensed Vintners Association, enabled the construction of the St Vincent’s Swimming Pool and Gymnasium on the Navan Road.

Their support continued as the Service expanded and modernised through the 1980s with the provision of additional facilities, the acquisition of community houses and construction of St Rosalie’s in Portmarnock. By 1988 fire safety issues led to accommodation in the older buildings in the Service at Navan Road being phased out. This created the need for extensive modern accommodation and support services in less institutional settings. Respect was incorporated in 1995 with the objective of research and provision of support to the service in providing accommodation and other resources.

In 1995, Sr Martha Hegarty DoC, who had completed studies in rehabilitation at Michigan State University and who had responsibility for the Community Living Programme, was appointed Director of Respect. Until her passing in 2012, Sr Martha provided leadership and vision to fundraising and fund allocation. Examples being, the major residential and support projects at St Vincent’s, St Louise’s Glenmaroon, the Bethel House hospice and Sonas Project at St Joseph's Clonsilla. The Respect Board, chaired by Dermot Desmond, raised the necessary funding to match government backing for the projects.

In 2025, after many years of impact and a portfolio of successful projects, Respect made the decision to rebrand to the Avista Foundation. This decision was made to re-emphasise the partnership between the two and our commitment to support Avista.