KDYS launches first Killarney Family Centre

from KILLARNEY ADVERTISER WK27 2023

effort wins the day

The Kerry Diocesan Youth Service has established its first Family Centre in Killarney.

The newly established KDYS Family Centre will offer a nurturing family home environment, space for play and a fully functioning kitchen, allowing for more meaningful and natural quality contact between children and their families.“For the past two years, KDYS has been providing Tusla funded supervised family access to children and parents, to support quality, meaningful contact between biological parents and children in the Care System. This service is available to a very limited group of families who are referred to the service by Tusla Chil- dren in Care Social Work Dept. Feedback from solicitors and other professionals has indicated that there is a need for this type of support that extends far beyond families referred by Tusla,” said CEO Berni Smyth.“ Recent funding, secured from the Late Late Toy show appeal, is allowing KDYS to further develop this service and offer support to families within our community who are engaged in Family and Child Law proceedings within the court system. The funding will be used to recruit a part time social care professional to facilitate meaningful contact between parents and children within a nurturing and safe environment in our Killarney Youth Centre.”

Up in Smoke 7-9pm and DJ Gav Kelly 9pm

Sunday 23

Family Fun Day: Gates open 12 noon, children’s entertainment and disco All Ireland Hurling Final Live on the Big screen followed by Thingamajig.