Athy Youth Project

Background

Athy Youth Project was established in 1990 and is staffed by an active, enthusiastic team who are supported in their work by a team of volunteers.

The Project has had great success in recruiting and maintaining volunteers who work with all the groups, two volunteers serve on the KYS Board of Management.

Project Group Profile

The Project runs a number of Youth Groups on a weekly basis. These include homework clubs, teenage groups, special interest groups and young mothers/parent toddler groups....... read more

Agencies we network with:

The Project works in partnership with many local agencies including

• Youthreach
• V.T.O.S.
• Schools
• Athy Community Development Project
• RAPID Co-ordinator
• FAS, Travellers Club
• Adult and Family Literacy
• Outreach service at the Health board
• Athy Alternative Project
• Kildare Community Partnership
• The Probation Service
• Health Nurses
• Gardaí
• Community Library

Staff at the Project are members of a number of sub-committees including Local Service Providers Network, Early School Leavers Committee, Support for Young and Lone Parents Group, Athy Community College Sub Group and Athy CDP Management Committee

Contact Details

Steven Fahy, Project Leader
Tel: 059-8638989
Email: stevenathy@kys.ie

Athy Youth Project also offers

Project Group Profile

The Project runs a number of Youth Groups on a weekly basis. These include homework clubs, teenage groups, special interest groups and young mothers/parent toddler groups.

Examples of groups within the Project are:

Girls/Boys Homework Clubs

The homework clubs meet for an hour after school. A snack is provided, with half an hour homework time allocated to each session. Fun activities include games, art and crafts, crosswords, storytelling and quizzes.

Issues for this group are bullying, listening, respect for one another, learning to share and helping each other with homework.

Parents concerns include prevention of early school leaving and support in completing homework. Some of the parents volunteer at these sessions.

Divas group

This all girls group has been in operation for 8 years. A major part of the group’s work is focused on relationships, young women’s issues, career choices and third level opportunities.

JEWELS (Justice and Equality for Women Empowering in Local Society)

This group has a two element system:

1. Parent & Toddler

The group share their personal experiences of motherhood, support and advise each other and participate in fun activities with their children. The lack of crèche facilities within the community and child protection awareness are issues raised by the young mothers.

 

2. Young Mothers

Gives the mothers ‘time out’ from the children, develop friendships with each other, access training and educational opportunities, provide a space where they can air their views and discuss issues relevant to them as young mothers. Subjects raised are drug and alcohol concerns, sexual health and women’s rights, entitlements and equality.

Issue based groups

These groups are established for a period of 6 weeks. In the past The Project has run a drama group, a photography group, a video production group, a publishing group and a Stepping Stones programme.

The aim of these groups is to highlight issues for young people, explore issues relevant to them, give them a forum in which to air their views, learn new skills and develop and maintain friendships. Results from these groups included a national publication, a photography exhibition and the making of a video.

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Athy Youth Project also offers

• Leadership Training for any youth club voluntary organisations who wish to affiliate to KYS
• Support to clubs and group in their work with young people
• Development of volunteer base in Athy
• A network with other youth work organisations in Athy, Kildare and the South East to develop positive links with statutory and voluntary groups
• Ways to identify the changing needs of young people in Athy and respond effectively to them
• Promotion of a social education and a community development approach to youth work.