infolink

Welcome to Infolink, Limerick Youth Service’s newsletter/e-zine that promotes the positive contribution of young people to our communities and keeps you up to date with the latest news from one of Ireland’s leading youth organisations.

Inside this week’s edition, Infolink has details of a summer camp in Castleconnell, King’s Island and the Southside Youth Space, more information of a Ukrainian summer camp while the boys from Rathkeale ended up in the cells!  All that and more in this latest Infolink!
  A group of boys with Rathkeale Youth Space spent a day in the cells at Henry St Garda Station, but fear not, they were released without charge!

The trip to the Henry St was part of an open day at the Limerick City station to mark the century of the establishment of An Garda Síochána.

As part of the open day the boys were given a guided tour of the station and got a first-hand experience of the ‘booking process.
 
‘On arrival, they boys were handcuffed and brought to the cells-much to their surprise!’ said Dawn McCarthy, Limerick Youth Service.

‘After their ‘spell inside,’ they were brought to a search room and a Garda member explained the process of the search room and scanned the boys with a body scanner,’ said Dawn, LYS’ Rathkeale-Askeaton Youth Project.

After recovering from the initial shock of been ‘arrested’, the boys explored the rest of the station and met with various Garda units, including the Armed Response team, Dog Unit, the Mounted Support Unit and the Traffic Corps.

‘The Gardaí explain the roll of the Armed Response Unit and they were even allowed to hold the guns,’ said youth worker Dawn adding, ‘they were not loaded!’

The boys then met with the Garda sniffer dog, the horses with the Mounted Support Unit and even got to sit on a Garda motorcycle!

Afterwards the boys met with members of the Search and Rescue Unit, who spoke about the variety of their work, from searching on land, sea and air in all weathers for missing people.

‘It was an unbelievable experience, one the boys really enjoyed,’ said Dawn adding, ‘we would like to thank the members of An Garda Síochána for their kind welcome and sharing details of their profession.’
  The sun shone on King’s Island this past Thursday, July 7^th as the young people and families gathered at the home of Star Rovers AFC for the St. Mary’s Park Fun Day.

Organised by young people with Limerick Youth Service’s Nicholas St Youth Space, the fun day proved to be an afternoon of high-octane action and fun with plenty of ceol agus craic! 

‘With foot-darts, human bingo, face painting, music, games and food, the young and not so young, had plenty to keep themselves entertained!’ laughed LYS youth worker, Rebecca Price.

‘It was a great afternoon and the sunshine certainly helped,’ said Rebecca who praised the young people at Nicholas St Youth Space for their part in supporting and organising the event.
 
‘Events like these give the community an opportunity to get to know each other and enjoy themselves,’ said Rebecca, LYS’ King’s Island & Watergate Youth Project.

‘Many of the young people are members of our groups at Nicholas St Youth Space, so the fair was a great opportunity for them to share their experiences with their family and friend and encourage others to join the youth clubs/groups,’ said Rebecca.

Rebecca thanked the young people, volunteers and the local community for their support in organising this year’s St. Mary’s Park fun day and is already looking forward to next year’s!

To view photos click HERE (Via Facebook)
  Young people in Kildimo and the surrounding areas are invited to take part in a summer camp with Limerick Youth Service at the local Kildimo GAA grounds.

The summer camp will run from Tuesday, July 12 to Thursday 14^th from 10am-2pm and is open for young people who will be entering 5^th & 6^th class this September.

A drumming workshop, introduction to photography and a tie-dye your t-shirts session, will all be part of the camp, in addition to plenty of activities and sport!

For more information, including registration details, please contact Kate at
kate.fleming@limerickyouthservice.org
  Young people with Lava Javas Youth Café, hosted a special summer camp at The Factory Southside Youth Space on Wednesday, July 6^th.

Organised by young people with Lava Javas Youth Committee, the summer camp saw children and young people enjoy a morning of fun and games at the famous Southside Youth Space.

‘With art, football, music and more, the young people were spoilt for choice!’ said Shelly Goggin, Limerick Youth Service.
 
Shelly was full of praise for the Lava Javas Youth Committee who organised and ran the summer camp.

‘They (youth committee) were keen to do something positive for children and young people, particularly those who are from disadvantaged communities,’ said Shelly.

‘They have been hard at work organising the summer camp and should be very proud of their achievements,’ said Shelly.
  ‘Monday Fundays’ continues in Garryowen throughout July as Limerick Youth Service and the Garryowen Community Development Project host a series of action-packed fun days at the Geraldine’s AFC, Garryowen (2-5pm).

Organised by young people with LYS’ Garryowen Youth Together Project and St. John’s Youth Club, the ‘Monday Fundays’ is open to children and young people who can take part in a variety of sports and games.

For more information, contact Kate at kate.slattery@limerickyouthservice.org Limerick Youth Service and Foróige will host two summer camps for young people with the Ukrainian Community in mid-July.

The summer camps will give teenagers from the Ukrainian Community an opportunity to take part in a number of activities such as kayaking, dance workshops, football and a clown workshop.

The summer camps will take place at several venues with the dates and age range as follows:

• Tuesday to Friday, 14^th - 22^nd July: 14-18yrs
• Tuesday to Friday, 26^th – 29^th July: 10-14yrs

For more information, please contact Mary at mary.duhig@limerickyouthservice.org.
  As Limerick Youth Service celebrates Pride Month, this week’s Youth Information segment featuring the Transgender Equality Network Ireland.

The Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) advocates and campaigns for the rights of Transpeople.

TENI has been a voice for Transpeople and led awareness campaigns on the issues facing members of Ireland’s Transgender community such as transphobia, stigma and discrimination.

Education is a key part of TENI’s ethos with the organisation running workshops on understanding transgender and the subtilties and complexities of gender identify.

TENI also provide support and information to family members and friends with a Gender Identity Family Support telephone service available at 01-9073707.  

For more details on TENI, please click HERE
  In the next edition, Infolink will have more details of the summer programmes including an exciting week at the Community Training Centre, a special feature for World Youth Skills Day, while Youth Work Gan Teorainn rolled into town!