Measure C - Community Based Youth Initiative

The aim of this initiative is to help disadvantaged young people improve their academic, social and cultural chances in life. This is done by linking projects with schools, communities and homes.

WLP Ltd. help start up and fund homework clubs in Housing Estates and schools while also being involved in projects, which assist Early School Leavers. WLP were also successful in obtaining funding for a youth worker in West Waterford and have applied for funds for another Youth Worker in the Portlaw/Kilmacthomas area. In addition, the company also funds (from Dormant Accounts) innovative projects targeting marginalized students in schools, under the Youth Action Programme

Examples:

1. Cathal Brugha Homework Club:

Young children in the estate attend the homework club every afternoon run by the residents and with the help of retired teachers. The feed back from the local school is very positive with better school attendance, more confidence, higher percentages staying in school and many having the opportunity to go to Third Level.

2. Youth Worker:

WLP Ltd. successfully applied for funds to employ a Youth Worker with Foroige in West Waterford. The Youth Worker is starting up Youth Clubs and developing school activities to form better citizens, and work with, and train parents in youth work.

3. Early School Leavers:

LP Ltd. works with Pathways and the National Youth Service (Gateway Programme) to help early school leavers through mentoring to work out a career path, which leads them to training, courses and employment.