Launch of YMCA strong kids campaign

The YMCA on Aungier Street launched the ‘Strong Kids Campaign’ on Wednesday February 29^th. It is aimed at providing positive opportunities for local youths and promoting a sense of achievement and change in their lives.

The charity-led campaign was set up to encourage vulnerable young people in the area to seek employment or enter into higher education, it also accommodates those still in school by offering many education and sports classes. For those youths who are particularly vulnerable, the YMCA offers homeless accommodation and case workers to help get kids back on their feet.

Bernadette Grogan, fundraising manager and campaign organiser said at the launch, “By supporting the Strong Kids Campaign you can give that chance to vulnerable young people, facing adversity and struggles in their daily lives. We want to show the critical services we offer and the changes they make to real lives right on your doorstep.”

The centre provides early-school leavers with a second chance at education through the Support Training and Enterprise Programme (STEP) which provides them with a small earning funded by the Department of Education and FETAC level training in modules such as Communications and World of Work.

The centre boasts courses in the FÁS Community Employment Programme and also runs a free ‘Jobs Club’. This is a 12-week course aimed at jobseekers to bestow them with life skills that they can apply to a working environment such as communication skills, computer training, CV building and even taking part in mock interviews.

Bernadette is encouraging people and businesses to raise funds for the services the centre provides by running in the Flora Mini Marathon on their behalf, which can be done by joining their fully-equipped onsite gym or enrolling in any one of a wide range of fitness classes available.