 Honoured Guests
Another area of immense development which has happened in this is the level of inter-agency supports which are in place. Over 50 different agencies have had and continue to have, a very central role in the sustaining of the development of the project. Offaly Local Development Company who was the main supporter of the all weather pitch and the Youth Café came in for special mention. `The supports which these organisations give are essential to the continued well being of the project. Laois Offaly ETB for their support of youth and adult education were also given strong prominence. The entire list of inter-agency supports were stressed on the day and it is this level of unseen unobtrusive help which allows for the vigorous growth that has occurred.
it is the community that decides which modules are run. We listen to what they are telling us and we then respond. The role of the LOETB in allowing us to do this cannot be overstated. If we stay rooted in the community and are part of that community then we will always know the programmes to deliver. The bespoke individualised nature of the programmes is what marks AMETS out as a provider. AMETS is an arm of the Acorn Project and operates with the same ethos Anna O'Neill spoke of her involvement with the Youth Café and in particular of the resilience which is required to survive. She told the story of the preparation and dedication which went into the opening morning. 10 staff ready to cater for all the young people and none turned up. She captured vividly the heartbreaking ache when the realisation that no young person was coming through our doors. The sheer devastation of it. Then half and hour of self pity followed by plan B, luckily as she said plan B worked and the Youth Café has never looked back. There are so many individual stories that captures the spirit of the place. In essence she said the Youth Café was a safe space in which young people should feel free to be themselves.  On the morning of the event a thoughtful email was received from the Minister of Justice Charlie Flanagan who apologised for being unable to attend. However, he did not want the day to go by without wishing the Acorn Project well and expressed a wish to visit the project in early Autumn. Councillors John Foley and Noel Cribben were also very sincere in their praise of the project. Former participant Kiev Cummins who has now returned to adult education spoke emotionally about what the project means to him and how it saved his life. Kiev's story was powerful and received the loudest and longest applause of the day. And so, at the end of the day a tired staff were delighted. The Acorn Project is a Garda Youth Diversion Project. Its number on task is to attempt to reduce youth crime. It is the very heart warming to hear our Chief Superintendent saying that it is successful beyond belief. The people of Edenderry should be aware that they could have had a far bleaker youth crime situation were it not for the fantastic work which the project engages in. All in all whatever the eventual outcome of the prize giving at a national level, the Acorn Project stands proud and delighted. They are outright winners irrespective of future decisions.
0 Comments
We're making headlines in the Offaly Topic! What an honour. It has been a week for them. July 11th 2017 will be a special memory in our minds for many years to come. It was the day that the National Pride of Place judging panel were guests of ours here at the Acorn Project. The Acorn Project has been nominated by Offaly County Council in the community category section. It was a fantastic day of reflection and remembering for all associated with the project and its journey. The Acorn Project began in 1999 with one room and now has facilities throughout the whole building. The Acorn Project incorporates the All Weather Pitch, The Gym, The Allotments in Shean, the respond house where Teach na nÓg resides. AMETS - Acorn Midlands Education Training Service, The Youth Café, & Youth Action Group.
 Whatever the outcome of the prize giving at a national level the Acorn Project stands proud and delighted. We would like to thank everyone who had any hand, act, part, or gave a second or more to helping us come to this day. We so appreciate everything you do.
Well done Everyone - what a wonderful achievement!  Overall Senior Category Short Film Competition Winner Edenderry Youth Café: Don’t Let Yourself Rot from the Inside Out The XHale is part of the Irish Cancer Society's fight against smoking. The Society says: "Over 350 young people from 40 youth and community groups will today showcase a huge range of short films based on anti-tobacco messages in the Odeon Cinema in The Point Village, Dublin. The groups are travelling to the event from all over Ireland and have written, directed and starred in their own films. They have worked hard to promote the smoke free messages in their films through screenings, poster campaigns and awareness raising events in their communities. Their films have received an impressive 20,000 views on YouTube so far." Link: XHALE 2017 |
AuthorThe musings, ramblings and general chit chat from the 'wan's' at the Acorn Project. It may be amusing, it may be informative, it may be off the wall, guaranteed it will never be boring ;-) Join us with your comments. Love to hear from you! Just remember, long as it's decent, and we don't have to wash its face, its welcome :-) Archives
August 2017
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
