Donegal Youth Service

Donegal Youth Service

Youth Work Ireland

Serbhís Oganaí Dhún na nGall

Donegal Yo Our Structure • 30+ affiliated youth units across the county • Over 700 adult volunteers • Over 5000 participating young people • 14 professionally trained staff • 15 Community Employment Scheme participants • Managed by a voluntary Board of Directors of 16 members

Our Values & Ethos DYS believes and recognises: • that young people and their identified needs are central to the work that we do • that the safety of children and young people is paramount • young people have the right to be treated with respect • young people’s right to participate • young people have the right to access information, support and services • that discrimination exists in society and we are working towards providing equity and equality of opportunity for all • Recognises the importance of developing supportive relationships between adults and young people

What does Donegal Youth Service do?

• We helps young people design a service that meets their needs e.g. Youth Advisory committee/ Volunteer youth forum • We challenge the attitudes & behaviour of young people e.g. Young Men’s Sexual health project

• We encourages young people to recognise & develop their own strengths e.g. Personal Development/ Peer Educa tion/Peer Leadership training

• We challenge young people to organise community events take responsibility for their own actions e.g. Party in the Park

• We help connect young people to their communities giving them a sense of belonging e.g. Youth Units across the county

• We work within the context of the young person’s own social networks e.g. family, friends, community youth projects, schools

outh Service What Issues do Young People face?

The most salient issues facing young people in Donegal inlcude: mental health, suicide, bullying, alcohol & drug abuse, isolation, support, parental separation, internet safety, employability & educational attainment, road safety, transport & access to services.

What Services are Provided?

• Accredited training in Personal Development, Peer leadership and Peer Education • Early School Leavers Project – Daybreak • Health Advice Cafe (in Partnership with Foroige) • Youth Drop-in Centre • Support training and advice for 30+ youth clubs • ‘Teen Between’ service for young people experiencing parental separation • ‘Teen Talk’ - One to One Youth Support • Youth information centre • Community Employment Project • Break Out LGBT Youth Project • Donegal Youth Council Active Citizenship

Who are our Key Referrers?

• Social Workers • Clinical Psychologists • Mental health Services • Schools • Garda/JLO’s • Education welfare Officers • Probation Service • Schools Completion Officer • Home School Liaison Officers

What we Need from You As a charity Donegal Youth Service relies on the generosity of those who believe in what we do. We are deeply appreciative of all those who encourage, work with us and give us financial support.

Your Charitable Donations you can Help us continue our work in developing young people’s life skills and to strengthen local communities.

How to Contact us Donegal Youth Service 16-18 Port Road Letterkenny, Co. Donegal Tel: 07491 29630 Email: lorraine.thompson@donegalyouthservice.ie Web: www.donegalyouthservice.ie www.facebook.com/DonegalYouthService

‘’I am grateful to Daybreak for all they have done for me l am now a qualified welder with a full time job and every day is different. I can make car trailers, fancy gates, stainless steel kitchens and I have my own car. I hope other young people get the same chances I got’ Ex- participant

‘’I don’t know where I would be today if the youth service had not been there when I was a bit lost...I got a whole different education that I would never have got without the youth services input’’ Joe 19 years

‘’Donegal Youth Service provided an invaluable service to those individuals who are finding it difficult to attend school. It’s a great support for the families concerned also’’ Teacher ‘’We saw him change from a quiet, shy boy who wouldn’t talk to anybody outside the family, to a young man who went shopping and cooked lunch for his friends’’ Parent