Tullacmongan/Cavanaleck Youth Project is a cross border/cross community youth project bringing together the Youth of the Tullacmongan area and its surrounds in Cavan Town and Cavanaleck, Cavandale and Chanterhill areas of Enniskillen.
The communities came together to bring the Children, Youth and People of Cavan and Enniskillen together to help address common issues of unemployment, under achievement, low expectation and self-esteem of many of our children, young people and adults.High on the agenda of the project was to address the legacy of the troubles and enhance the process of peace and reconciliation by concentrating on what unites us and acknowledging our differences. Immediately, the project got of to a flying start with cross border/cross community Summer Camps in Castle Archdale and exchange trips for Adults, Youth and Children in 2002 and 2003. Since 2004, with funding under Peace II and Peace II extension programmes, the project has made substantial progress toward improving the capacity, self-esteem and employability of our young people, many of whom in the process have made good friends on a cross border/cross community basis.
Much further work needs to be done to address to issues of employability, capacity building and self-esteem of our children and young people. Currently we are undergoing an evaluation of need with the community involving the Youth, Residents and employers.
PROJECT ACHIEVEMENTS
| Accredited Courses |
| Basic Computers (Pitman) |
| European Computer Driving Licences |
| City & Guilds Certificate in Computer Accounting |
| City & Guilds Introduction to Computers Certificates |
| CLAIT Certificates |
| First Aid Certificates |
| Web Design Certificates |
| RYA I&II Certificates in Power boating |
| RYA I&II Certificates in Sailing |
| RYA I&II Certificates in Windsurfing |
| GNAS Canoeing Certificates |
| SAFEPASS Certificates |
| OCN Personal Development Course Certificates |
| Gaisce Awards |
| Activities | |
| Drop-in Centre | Hip/hop classes |
| Broadband Internet Access | St Patrick’s Day Parade |
| CV Preparation | Labyrinth Workshops |
| Job Club | Sports evenings |
| Youth Club | Dancing |
| Discos | Quad Biking |
| Bowling | Soccer Tournment |
| Peace & Reconciliation Workshop | Open Nights |
| Dance workshop | Film Project Belfast |
| Trips |
| Ice skating, Castlereagh, Co Down |
| Bowling, Cavan x 2 |
| Aquatic Centre, Blanchardstown, Co Dublin |
| Exchange trips Enniskillen/Cavan x 14 |
| Horse riding, Fivemiletown & Cavan x 2 |
| Cross Border Soccer Tournament, Cavan |
| Dance Performance in Cavan Crystal, Cavan, Co. Cavan |
| Gaisce Awards (President’s Awards), Mullingar |
| Camps and residentials |
| Cross Community/Cross border Camp, Castle Archdale, 1 Week |
| Cross Community/Cross border Camp, Castle Archdale, 4 x 1 weeks |
| RYA I&II Certificates in Power boating, Share Centre, 4 x1 weeks |
| RYA I&II Certificates in Sailing, Share Centre, Lisnaskea, 4 x1 weeks |
| RYA I&II Certificates in Windsurfing, Share Centre, Lisnaskea, 4 x1 weeks |
| GNAS Canoeing Certificates, Share Centre, Lisnaskea, 4 x1 weeks |
| Summer Camp 06, Various Locations |
| Activity Residential, Mourne Centre, Co. Down |
| Residential, Carlingford Adventure Centre, Co Louth |
| Residential, Corelea, Blacklion, Co. Leitrim |
| Awards |
| Basic Computers (Pitman) Certificates x 48 |
| European Computer Driving Licences Certificates x 60 |
| City & Guilds Certificate in Computer Accounting x 28 |
| City & Guilds Introduction to Computers Certificates x 32 |
| CLAIT Certificates x 24 |
| First Aid Certificates x 36 |
| Web Design Certificates x 12 |
| RYA I&II Certificates in Power boating x 18 |
| RYA I&II Certificates in Sailing x 20 |
| RYA I&II Certificates in Windsurfing x 12 |
| GNAS Canoeing Certificates x 10 |
| SAFE PASS Certificates x 32 |
| OCN Personal Development Course Certificates x 16 |
| Gaisce Awards (President’s Awards) x 5 |
Concern about future - Funding for the project
With funding for the project running out in June this year and as yet no firm information about what will be funded under Peace 111, this project along all other youth projects in the border region is concerned about future funding. It has long been the case that short term funding of projects, such as ours, hampers meaningful assistance and positive interventions over sufficient a period of time to make really significant contributions to the lives of our young people.Short-term results in high staff turnover, poor continuity, waste of resources and ineffectualoutcomes. Very few young people get supported by projects, which have security of tenure and consistent targets and outcomes throughout their development.
However, there is no use complaining, no one is listening. There is nothing for it, but to search for a new funding once again.
