| In our youth work, CYC has three strategic aims: 1. To support and develop voluntary youth groups in the Dublin Diocese 2. To provide direct youth provision for young people, especially in disadvantaged communities in our catchment area. 3. To promote social inclusion CYC is a voluntary youth work organisation which is committed to supporting the most marginalised young people in communities. CYC believe that all young people deserve to be treated with respect, that they have a right to live in a caring environment, to education, to health care, to employment and to opportunities to participate in a positive way in their community. We firmly believe that all young people would benefit from involvement with a good quality youth work process. We recognise that the youth work process and the role of the youth worker as a significant caring adult are particularly effective strategies for successful interventions with marginalised young people. We also are convinced that the voluntary nature of the relationship lends itself to successful outcomes for the young people involved. Youth Participation Youth participation is a central point of the process of youth work. It is a way of working which allows young people to be involved in decision making and to exercise responsibility. In addition, participation can be the outcome of youth work, because of youth work young people may chose to participate more activitely in society and church, individually and collectively. Structures need to be put in place whereby young people can participate in decision about services and policies which impact upon them. Youth participation needs to be a strong and consistant thread running through all aspects of CYC work. We fully endorse the youth work process as outlined in the Youth Work Act and promote the values associated with the critical social education model of youth work as the most appropriate to our work. OUTCOMES The outcomes we expect for the young people we engage with include: 1. Increase in self-esteem, personal confidence, communication skills, sense of belonging 2. Increased integration with a structured day 3. Improved relationship with family, peers, community and local services 4. Active involvement in programmes, especially opportunities to develop actions that embrace a genuine youth participation model. 5. Opportunities for practical support to successfully resolve serious lifestyle issues, e.g. youth homelessness, drug/alcohol abuse, anti social/criminal activities, social welfare. 6. A sense of long term support when further crisis or issues may arise in the future. In today’s society, with increased levels of family break-up and increased social isolation, support for young people that can be accessed easily at a community level is of increasing importance. SERVICES AND TARGET GROUPS CYC aims to provide support for existing voluntary youth groups and to develop both new groups and new models of youth groups. Presently the range of voluntary youth groups affiliated to and supported by us includes: - Youth clubs - Summer projects - Special interest groups (drama, adventure, music, dance, specific ethnic groups, young people with disabilities) - Youth cafés - Peace Corps groups We have links with Peace Corps Localise, National Association for Youth Drama, Traveller Development Groups, Parishes, St. Vincent de Paul Clubs, Clubs 4U, No Name Clubs, local authorities, etc. We work in partnership with National Drugs Strategy Team, Schools, VECs, An Garda Siochána, Irish Youth Justice Service and many local community groups. We provide volunteer vetting, leadership training (basic to NUI Certificate), child protection support, programme support, insurance cover, inter club activities and support for funding. Voluntary Youth Work with Young People The role of the voluntary youth leader is recognised by CYC as crucial to the provision of youth work opportunities for young people. We recognise where youth leaders have developed through training and experience the knowledge, skills and personal qualities to be able to intervene appropriately with young people that thius provides young people and communities with a very valuable resource. Their voluntary commitment and the voluntary participation of the young person can be critical elements of the youth work relationship. Direct Youth work with young people. Our aim is to reach out and engage with young people who are marginalised or at risk of becoming marginalised. This target group can include early school leavers, young parents, young people involved with alcohol and drugs, minority groups, young people in conflict with their community and the justice system, young people who are homeless or struggling with family relationships. As outlined above we believe that the Youth Worker is a significant caring and stabilising adult influence on the life of many marginalised young people. We operate a range of strategies to maximise contact with the most marginalised young people, including: • Detached Youth Work – where contact can be built on and learning opportunities availed of and created • Outreach Youth Work – to encourage young people to engage and to avail of our services and centres • Drop-In (lunchtime, evenings and late nights) – easy access centres where relationships can be established and learning opportunities created • Group Work – structured programmes where young people can experience a range of opportunities and develop a range of skills • Individual work – some young people with specific issues or difficulties may require one-to-one intervention with youth workers • Youth Information Service – CYC operates three Youth Information Services offering direct provision for young people and support for youth workers in their role as information providers. • Working in the context of the family. • Working with other agencies that work with young people. |