ECHO ISSUE 17

June 2013 - Issue 17

ECHO

Letterkenny Youth Information Centre Newsletter 16-18 Port Road, Letterkenny Tel 074-9129640

YIC Media Group Photoshoot LOFT Summer Programme

How to get work this summer LGBT Faces of Donegal Exhibition

Dealing with cyber bullying

Let’s Talk About Sex 2013 Special!

STAFF PROFILES FRANKIE GARETH GIBSON Gareth started working in the YIC in October 2001 and he has a background in Business Studies, Youth Work and Research.

What do you do in the YIC? My job is to coordinate the YIC and the Loft, which involves quite a bit of desk based work, dealing with budgets and funding etc and ensuring we have the best possible services and facilities available for young people to use.

What do you like about working for the YIC? Honestly, I like the variety and scope that comes with working in the Youth Service. It’s great to be able to help others and work with young people on so many exciting projects and initiatives.

What would be your hopes for the YIC? Apart from the obvious hopes like better funding etc, I just hope that the YIC continues to develop and grow as it has done since 1998, and that the young people that use our service continue to get a lot from it and enjoy coming back again and again.

MCGREEVY Frankie started working at the YIC in March 2002 and he

has a background in Politics, Community Youth Work and restorative practice How did you come to work at the YIC? I don’t know I was just visiting my Mom in Letterkenny and spotted the job ad and went for it, I knew there was something different and exciting about the place when I visited before the interview and I am still here 11 years later.

What do you do in the YIC? I do Youth Work, this is all about building positive educative relationships with young people individually and in groups, We provide informal education opportunities for young people helping them build confidence, recognise their own strengths and work for positive social change together.

What would be your hopes for the YIC? That we expand our very successful model across the county of Donegal.

BREDA COYLE

LOUISE LYNCH Louise began working in February 2013 and has a background in psychology, youth work and photography.

What do you do in the YIC? The work here is so diverse; I do centre based work which is taking queries from the public, advocacy, supervising the drop-in, working with the development officers in overseeing our social media, video production, podcasts, newspaper column etc. As part of our outreach I also deliver information sessions around cyber bullying. The YIC has a media group for young people which produce videos and photography around youth issues.

Why do you like working for the YIC? The best part of my job is the people. The young people are great and the team we have is so positive, fun and creative yet work hard and are innovative in everything we do. I love the diversity of the job, the flexibility and how we are allowed to work around what young people want and need.

Breda began working in April 2013 and has a background in youth work and community development.

How did you come to work in the YIC? I did the youth Leadership course and was a volunteer with the Loft for quite a while. I also had experience in other community settings. When I saw the job advertised I applied for it.

What do you do in the YIC? I do various tasks, mainly administration, supervising, planning and organising activities. I run Tropical Thursdays which is a new part of the drop-in where we make up different drinks and just generally have a lot of fun. I also work with media group.

What would be your hopes for the YIC in the future?

That we will get more funding and be able to continue all

the work we do.

ANA CÁCERES Ana began working through the European Voluntary Service (EVS) in February 2013 and will finish in November 2013. Her background is in communication and media and she has specialised in audio-visual design.

How did you come to work in the YIC? I was looking for an EVS project that was interested in media and design specifically in a country that spoke English. I wanted to work in Ireland because I have always been interested in Ireland and the Irish culture. I put out a general application and was selected to join the Youth Information Centre.

What type of work do you do?

I do media work, mainly audio-visuals such as video production, stop motion animation and keeping the social media sites’ updates. I do blog posts and create posters.

What’s been your favourite part of working in the Yic so far?

The fun we have in the office, it is a great place to work. I suppose I specifically like video editing.

SARA SANTIAGO Sara began working through the European Voluntary Service in February 2013 and will finish in November 2013.

Her background is in media, communication and events management.

How did you come to work in the Yic? I was looking for an EVS project when I saw the opportunity for work in Ireland on the youth networks. I sent in my curriculum and was trying a lot of countries. I was selected then to come here to work, I was so happy when I found out.

What do you do in the Yic? I have two main jobs; I design media stuff, posters, clips for radio shows, editing videos and uploading stuff on social networks. But I also supervise the drop in and help on trips.

I have a lot of creative freedom with design and I really like this.

Have there been any issues with working in the Yic so far?

Not really, sometimes me and Ana don’t understand people, so language barrier can be a problem but that is only small.

My only big problem is we have to go in November.

ABOUT LETTERKENNY YOUTH INFORMATION CENTRE The Youth Information Centre is a well established resource for the local community providing Young people and those who work with them a one stop shop for information and training opportunities in the following areas: Job and Housing Lists - Law and Justice - CV Preparation - Travel opportunities - College applications Student Travel card service - Practice for Driver Theory Test - Leadership training - Media skills training - Drop in service Letterkenny Youth Information Centre, 16-18 Port Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal Tel 0749129640 or email yicletterkenny@donegalyouthservice.ie

GOING BEYOND BORDERS AND BREAKING BARRIERS Donegal Youth Service has always recognized the importance of actively fighting prejudice and racism through dedicated projects. In the past few months we have seen the finishing up of two great projects who did exactly this; Beyond Borders and Cross Border Connections.

The Donegal Youth Service with the support of the Omagh Youth Centre launched the Beyond Borders Project in June 2011, with the aim of challenging sectarianism, discrimination and overcoming both physical and psychological borders within various communities. Funded by the International Fund For Ireland and the Department of Foreign Affairs, over the past 2 years the Beyond Borders Project has organised 8 community festivals bringing together hundreds of young people from all over Donegal, Tyrone and Derry as well as young people from different ethnic backgrounds now living in Ireland.

Beyond Borders delivered various training opportunities in Understanding Prejudice and Discrimination, Community Event Organising, “From Prison to Peace” workshops with a group of ex-combatants and former Political activists, all the while adopting a deeply involved and integrative approach to community work.

Cross Border Connections is a cross border/cross community project, managed by Donegal Youth Service through the Donegal Community Based Youth Work Consortium and funded by Phase II of the PEACE III plan.

The project has been running since July 2011 and

finished in May 2013. The Project has facilitated a number of activities and workshops throughout Donegal and the border areas, including showcasing Donegal’s first ever ‘Intercultural Youth Day’ which took place in Buncrana, Inishowen on 28th July 2012. During this time they have worked with over 300 young people, raising their awareness of Prejudice, Discrimination and Racism as well as the Adult volunteers who support them in their community.

As part of this programme, Cross Border Connections undertook a research project which would capture through the production of a DVD the research, activities, training and personal progression of groups of young people which would facilitate young people from different ethnic backgrounds to participate in a research project to identify and explore the barriers they face when participating in civil life.

Recognition is due to Frankie Mc Greevy, Emmet Byrne, Gary Cassidy and Maria Crossan of Beyond Borders and Julie Mc Grory, Louise Lynch, Helen Simms and Katrina Herron of Cross Border Connections for their dedicated hard work. Although both projects will have finished by June 2013, their impact will resonate in the communities and in the minds of the hundreds of participants for years to come.

Letterkenny Youth Information Centre

MEDIA GROUP

The Media Group at the Youth Information Centre has been running for six years and is designed to give young people an opportunity to explore youth issues through the medium of journalism, film or photography.

It is an open group where young people can join at any point and values creativity and freedom of expression.

The group recently did an ad-hoc photo shoot with found objects and some costumes inspired by zombies, monsters, tea parties, film noir and glamour.

The purpose of the group was fun and expression.

In the past six months the media group has produced two videos about cyber bullying and have been working on a project incorporating video, photography and stories focused on young men’s mental health.

Starting on Saturday August 31st we are launching a two week exhibition at ArtCo in Letterkenny. The exhibition will hope to not only showcase the incredible photographic and creative talent we have in the media but it will also be the launch of a campaign to highlight the importance of asking for support when going through a difficult time.

LOFT 2013 SUMMER The Loft Summer Camps have been running since 2006 and offers you an opportunity to try something different, learn new skills and of course have the best craic.

Fashion Week

(16th -19th July, Ages 12-16, Cost: €20)

Design your own outfits, use your imagination and let your creative side shine through fashion.

Creative Activities (2nd—5th July, Ages 12—16, Cost: €20) Drama, media, art and baking

Independent Living (9th—12th July, Ages 16—18, Cost: €20) A four day course to learn cookery, food preparation, budgeting for food and household bills, cleaning and home hygiene, and simple DIY.

Art & Music Project (AMP)

(30th July - 2nd Aug, Ages 12-18, Cost: €30) DJ skills, Grafitti, spoken word, dance (including hip hop, funk fusion, contemporary and jazz, physical theatre, photography and much more.)

Rockschool

Transition Programme & Get Active (23rd—26th July or 19th - 23rd August for 6th Class pupils.

Cost: €20)

This programme will combine having fun, making friends and learning valuable skills and preparing for the transition from primary school to secondary school.

(5th—10th August, Ages 12-18, Cost: €30)

The annual Rockschool is an opportunity for musicians and singers of all abilities to come together over 4 days for a series of master classes, tutorials, workshops, jam sessions and performances covering song craft and song writing, vocal exercises, drumming and percussion, bass guitar, electric and acoustic guitar, piano, instrument set up and more! There is something here for everyone of a musical persuasion, and an atmosphere of mutual appreciation and sharing is highly encouraged. Lunch is provided.

Outdoor Week

(12th - 16th August, Ages 15 - 17, Cost: €20) A week of fun packed activities, challenges and learning about nature and how to survive in the wild. 98% activities are outside.

R PROGRAMME Soundcheck Music Competition Youth Cafe Summer Drop-In Events Games Night Wed— 12th-26th June & 24th July—7th August Jam Session Wed 3rd—17th July & 14th—28th 6pm – 8pm Pool Competition—Saturday 8th June Men’s Health Day—Friday 14th June Movie Night—Friday 21st June Quiz—Friday 28th June Music night with performances

by LOFT staff & volunteers—Friday 5th July Band night—Friday 19th July Movie Night—Saturday 27th July HUG LK—Saturday 3rd August Rockschool Performance—Saturday 10th August End of summer beach party—Friday 23rd August

In conjunction with the Earagail Arts Festival we are running the Soundcheck Music Competition.

This is open to musicians and performers of original music aged 12-19, the remaining heat will take place in the Greenroom music venue on 15th June, with the winning act competing against the other 3 heat winners in the final on 18th July as part of the Greenroom’s festival programme. The winning act will receive mentoring and a day’s recording session with Tommy Callaghan, Attica Studios and perform as support for a headline act in the festival.

LGBT FACES OF DONEGAL EXHIBITION The LGBT Faces of Donegal Exhibition, which was launched on 26th of April in the Regional Cultural Centre, can only be described as a ground-breaking statement against prejudice and homophobia. The exhibition featured photos and stories of 23 Donegal LGBT community members and people who are close to them. With more than 100 people at the launch, Lorraine Thompson DYS Regional Director, stated “These are amazing and generous people who’ve shared their stories and bared their souls, helping to make us better people and to change mindsets stuck in stereotypes and prejudice.”

BreakOut, which was founded in 2009, is a safe, fun space for LGBT young people to find support and friendships as well as opportunities for personal development and training programmes. Kevin Carter, a BreakOut member, has described it as “BreakOut has achieved more in its short life than many other groups could ever hope to achieve. It has been a catalyst for change in Donegal and has protected, cared for, and cherished the young people that have used it.”

The exhbition will thereafter be available upon request for display in public spaces, community centres, and schools, according to Sinead Murray of Donegal Youth Service, who is the chief organiser and inspiration of the exhibition in conjunction with the DYS BreakOut LGBT Youth Group.

Anyone interested in displaying the exhibition is asked to ring BreakOut on (085) 741 1607 or alternatively to send an email to sinead.murray@ donegalyouthservice.ie.

PARTY IN THE CAR PARK

st Augu

3rd

Planning for the 9th annual Party in the Park with its tarmac twist is well under way with another great year of fun and music lined up. Party in the Park will always be a family event promising stalls, bouncy castles, games, music and a great atmosphere. This year in conjunction with Letterkenny Live Party in the Car park will return on August 3rd. Keep your eyes on our Facebook page for more details over the next few weeks.

European Youth Week took place from the 26th May to the 2nd June 2013 in all countries of the Youth In Action Programme to celebrate and promote youth activities.

Here in the YIC, we had a great week! We had a fun Spanish evening, an EVS information session, a European table quiz and an information stand all about how to be an active citizen.

For more information about this and other youth work being done at European level contact our Facebook page or www.eurodesk.ie.

LET’S TALK AB Donegal Youth Service in association with the Donegal Sexual Health Forum took part in the annual sexual health awareness week entitled ‘Let’s Talk About Sex’. The week was a great success with organisations and projects from all over Donegal taking part in information campaigns, training and workshops. The aim of Let’s Talk About Sex Week 2013 was to encourage healthy conversations about sex between young people and the adults important to them in their life. This week is important as it tries to raise awareness about sexual education and the importance of talking about it in positive ways so young people can learn from their family and communities as opposed to through pornography or individuals who don’t have their best interests at heart.

‘Let’s Talk About Sex’ is all about communication and information – we want people to start taking part in healthy and supportive conversations with young people about sex, sexual health and sexuality. We want to help and encourage adults especially parents, family members, teachers and youth workers to begin getting involved in communication and let young people know they have someone to talk to and make sense of all the mixed messages and negativity they are receiving regarding sex and sexuality. They need to be able to go to someone they know and receive factual, understandable information so they can begin making healthy and informed decisions about their lives.

Well done to all the organisations and projects who took part to make this a successful week.

WHAT WE DID

Let’s Talk about Sex Vox Pop

Irish Young People - Sexual Health Statistics

What Young people think about sex.

BOUT SEX! ts:

Even f o n w o Run D

• DYS – Youth Outreach project – 19 adults completed ‘Love Hurts’ sexual health training and Sexual Health Session plans were sent via email to all secondary schools in Donegal to help encourage discussion around sexual health.

• Parentstop distributed an information leaflet on Let’s Talk about Sex throughout the media and through the IFAN, HSE and PCT networks.

• DYS - BreakOut LGBT Youth project launched LGBT Faces of Donegal Exhibition • Letterkenny Women’s Centre ran a programme to help educate 59 young people on the risks of unprotected sex • DYS - The Youth Information Centre conducted a ‘Vox Pop’ as well as an information stand and a newspaper article.

• DYS - Castlefinn Youth Club ran a sexual health awareness session for 20 youth club members • Foroige ran an all week programme with 52 young people called REAL U around sexual health • Foróige’s Donegal Teen Parent Support Programme & HSE Health Promotion Service ran a training workshop for schools/centres of education about supporting students who are pregnant and those who are parents.

• DYS/Foroige – LOFT – Sexual health awareness incorporated into all youth work • DYS – Planet Youth ran a skills based workshop on Let’s Talk Sex to young people to 21 participants • Donegal Youth Council ran a Relationships & Sexuality Training workshop with 23 young people with Lorraine O’ Connell from Aids West.

• Donegal Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Centre ran an information road show reaching in excess of 420 people • Donegal Youth Service reached 1047 people during the week from Facebook Articles posted on the week of events, feedback on the events, links to the radio interview, tips on how to have conversations with young people/parents and the YIC Poster and DVD.

WORK IN THE SUMMER Jethro Collamar, 18, Letterkenny Currently doing his leaving cert

People g n u o Y w ie Interv

What are your plans for the summer?

I want to do a few things, I’d like to go on holiday but I’d also like to do one of the summer camps in the LOFT. I would like to get a job also but I also want to go out and have fun.

On getting a job…

I really want a job, it would benefit me a lot because I could save up money for college to help with rent and living. I am optimistic about getting work but getting involved is really important and is beneficial for your future so even if I can’t get paid work I’d love to do some volunteering.

If you can’t get a job, keep trying, the economy is tough but you can’t give up. Something good will happen.

Catriona Kelly, 22, Galway What are your plans for the summer?

I’m going to Galway for the summer. I’m in LYIT doing graphic design and will be back for that in September.

On getting a job...

It wasn’t difficult for me because I work in the same place every summer. My friends initially got me in for an interview and I’ve been working there for a few years now. It’s really important to show interest, I make sure to show them I’m keen and that I’m available to go back every summer.

Eoin Mc Daid Just finished up 5th year What are your plans for the summer?

I really want to learn Japanese as I’m thinking of studying it for next year but I’m not sure. I’d really like to get some work experience in the LOFT or the YIC. I am trying to get a job but there’s so much I need to do to like studying maths, catching up on TV and movies as well as books. This summer I’m turning 18 so I might do something for that.

On getting a job…

To me it’s not overly important. I’d like to get a job for experience and cash but I’m not going to be disappointed if I can’t find one I’ll find other stuff to do with my time.

WHAT TO DO THIS SUMMER Saving to go on a holiday, money for socialising or contributing to your own home are some of the reasons you may be looking for summer work. Often it is having independence, an income or a sense of purpose that becomes a motivating factor. It is no surprise that when the summer comes and you can not get work that you might become disillusioned and pessimistic.

Searching for work can be hard at times but there are opportunities out there. Here are some tips for looking for work this summer.

Local Community

your family works in an area that you are interested in, you may know a friend who works in that area or perhaps it simply could be someone you met through a training course, sporting club etc.

One of the most effective ways to get summer jobs lies in your own neighbourhood and communities.

Local shops often display postcards for those looking for jobs and employers advertising Recruitment Agency work. Shops may also advertise their own vacancies, e.g. for retail If you are looking for a very assistants on their shop windows. particular type of position then It is also a very good idea to just perhaps you should consider going ask if there is any work available, to a recruitment agency. These as often many part-time or summer match job seekers with employers’ positions are not vacancies. They always advertised.

Searching for will also contact

Personal Contacts

work can be hard at times but there are opportunities out there.

Personal contacts have been a long established way of getting work, at home and abroad. However, getting a job is not dependent on this, so do not fret if you do not know a lot of people in your area. Perhaps a friend of

people registered with them when vacancies arise.

The Internet

Another great tool for job searching is the internet. There are a wide range of job search websites out there, including www. fas.ie, www.monster.ie, www. jobs.ie, www.jobsearch.ie, www.

irishjobs.ie, ie and a

www.loadzajobs. host of others.

Newspapers Adverts may also appear in free local newspapers such as the Letterkenny Post. Most papers are available in the local library or youth information centre, and there may be copies of some papers in Job centres and community centres.

Finally the Letterkenny Youth Information Centre provides a free weekly list of available employment in the Letterkenny area. It is updated every Friday and you can pick one up from 11am onwards. If you can’t make it to the centre we can arrange to email it to you. We also offer a CV preparation service and interview preparation service, if you feel you need some extra help on the way.

FOCUS ON YO ACCESSING THIRD LEVEL EDUCATION the personal lives of young people, the wider community and economically. There needs to be mobilisation towards small but vital changes.

We have been continuously working towards change through projects and meetings with political representatives. If you have any concerns about access to Education call into the Youth Information Centre for a free and confidential chat with our Youth Development Officer.

Over the years at Donegal Youth Service, young people who have immigrated to Ireland with their families have voiced the difficulties that they encounter when trying to make the transition to third level education. It is often the case that some young people are being treated as foreign students, even though they have been living in Ireland for as long as 10 years.

Foreign students, also called international students, are by definition those who come from another country to study in a country for the duration of the course they are attending.

They often have to pay fees exceeding â‚Ź8,000 and cannot apply for a student grant.

If you have been living in Ireland legally for ten years, if this is your home, you have went to primary school here, completed your leaving certificate here then ask yourself this question – do you think you should be treated as a foreign student when you try to go on to third level education? For some young people this is their reality and the current system in Ireland does exactly that. Those in government, in Ireland and Europe, who are making the decisions around education, visas and immigration, need to be aware of the serious effects this has on

CYBERBULLYING Have you ever received a threatening email?

Has someone ever put up a photo of you on a social networking site with the aim of writing nasty things about it? Have you ever had hateful text messages sent to you? Recent statistics from a Trinity College report show as many as 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys have been involved in cyber bullying, as either the victim or the bully. It is estimated that 24% of 9 to 17-year-olds have reported being bullied.

Sometimes it can be hard to know what exactly cyber bullying is and whether it is happening to you or not. Cyber bullying is a

OUTH ISSUES form of harassment that takes place via electronic devices using internet or text technology.

It is not someone being mean once; but someone who is repeatedly t a r g e t i n g , undermining, intimidating or threatening you.

It is still most prevalent on social networking sites, but there are a number of devices available which a bully can access the internet with including phones, computers, mp3 players and gaming consoles. So knowing how to identify bullying and take action becomes crucial. Don’t be quiet! The solution is in your hands. You can do something about it!

Tips for dealing with cyber bullying...

Tell someone!

Whether it is happening to you or a friend; stand up and tell someone you trust

accept t o n o D social n i s d frien rks or netwo ails from m open e you do ne someo . w not kno

Block them Report them Take screen-shots of abusive or bullying activity or save text messages (information on how to do this is available online)

There are settings on phones and social networking accounts that can let you block the person from contacting you

Do n ot be afrai d to get h Alwa elp ys rem nobo dy ha ember right s to bu the lly yo u

SUMMER HOLIDAYS If you are planning on taking a summer holiday over the summer here are some travel tips to keep in mind to make sure you have a safe holiday and above all else have great time.

Get Travel Insurance It is recommended that you take out comprehensive travel insurance, including medical insurance; if your family already have private medical cover, be sure to check with the insurer that you are covered for “foreign” travel, and, if so, how you can avail of this cover in an emergency.

Keep Your Money Secure Carry a mixture of cash and credit cards and do not keep them in one place. If your hotel/apartment/ hostel has a safe, use it. Do not carry all your money on you at any one given time.

Be Careful with Alcohol If/when consuming alcohol, first know the age limit of the country you are visiting and second know your own limits! Hot weather and alcohol can have dangerous effects leading to falling asleep in the sun and being burned, sun stroke, dehydration or even alcohol poisoning. Binge drinking can lead to black-outs and take risks you might not when sober.

Drink spiking is still a concern and in a foreign country; you need to have your wits about you when drinking and make sure you are safe.

Avoid Drug Taking The use of drugs can, and does, result in serious illness and death. It should be noted that the purchase and possession of drugs can result in arrest and imprisonment – penalties arising as a result are often far more severe in other countries than those handed down in Ireland.

Water Safety Do not swim after consuming food or alcohol. Do not swim or surf in areas where it is prohibited to do so, or, which are not patrolled by lifeguards. One small mistake in the water can lead to drowning.

Be Alert Be aware of what is going on around you and avoid situations whereby you feel uncomfortable.

Avoid “no go” areas, especially after dark and do not accept lifts from strangers. Do not walk alone, particularly after dark, and wherever you go with your friends make plans, keep tabs on each other and stay together!

Know The Local Laws You must respect local laws and customs. Things that might be more acceptable in Ireland may be completely unacceptable or even illegal in other countries. Irish Embassies and Consulates will provide you with every assistance should you be arrested, but, please note that they cannot get you out of jail or assist you in evading trial.

Keep In Touch Keep your family informed as to your whereabouts and travel plans. Check with your mobile phone provider, that you will be able to roam upon reaching your destination, before you go and, don’t forget to top up!

Log onto the Department of Foreign Affairs website www.dfa.ie for further reading. If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact the Letterkenny Youth Information Centre on 074 91 29640 or text us at 086-3499998.

YIC LETTERKENNY SERVICES & PROGRAMMES • • • • • • • •

INFO AVAILABLE ON:

Employment Rights & Entitlements Understanding Tax CV Preparation Interview Preparation Job Seeking Skills Dealing with conflict in the workplace Self Assessment Participation is FREE

For more information contact: Letterkenny Youth Information Centre on 074-9129640

DROP IN HOURS The YIC drop in continues to open until 6pm Monday to Thursday, while we are open to 5pm on Fridays. The Loft drop-in remains open until 8pm on Wednesday and Thursdays and opens from 5-10pm on Fridays, as well as 2-6pm on Saturdays.

YOUTH MEDIA GROUP The Youth Media Group meets Tuesday evenings from 6-8pm. If you would like to get involved contact a member of staff now.

OUTREACH IN SCHOOLS Letterkenny YIC are reguarly providing outreach in different schools across the town and county. We offer workshops in a range of areas including peer mentoring, school council training, internet safety workshops, study skills & much more. Contact the centre if you feel we could be of benefit to your school.

EURODESK Thinking of travelling, working or volunteering in Europe. Letterkenny YIC are your local Eurodesk Relay. We have access to lots of European Information so give us a call today.

STUDENT TRAVEL CARD Letterkenny Youth Information Centre is an agent for the Student Travel Card. We can process your card for you in the centre.

Log on to www.studenttravelcard.ie for more details on the discounts on offer.

WEEKLY ACCOMMODATION & EMPLOYMENT LIST Our weekly employment and accommodation lists for Letterkenny can now be accessed online.

See www.donegalyouthservice.ie/yic for more details.

SOCIAL MEDIA At the Youth Information Centre we are making full use of the social media networks available to us to allow our service users to keep up to date with everything we do. Social media has revolutionised the way the information centre works; we can communicate instantly with people and events and groups can be organised and communicated with effortlessly.

Follow us on twitter @yicletterkenny, check out our Tumblr page and our Youtube channel.

Our EVS volunteers have been documenting their experiences here in Ireland, you can find their tales on www.evsletterkenny.wordpress.com And finally like us here on Facebook where we keep you up to date with all of our work and events.