News
Smith launches Face Off youth project
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Cavan/Monaghan T.D., Mr. Brendan Smith has performed the official launch of the Cavan VEC backed Face Off youth project.
Speaking at St. Michael’s Hall, Cootehill, Mr. Smith said that the project, which has been underway since October, was playing a crucial role in teaching young people from different backgrounds the importance of tolerance and the breaking down of social and political barriers.
Delivered by two youth workers, Louise Smith and Natasha Cassidy, the project is run primarily from a recently acquired VEC learning bus, which is spending six weeks at seven separate locations in County Cavan. Now is Cootehill, the bus will be moving on to Ballyconnell, Belturbet and Redhills, having already been in Blackion, Bawnboy and Cavan Town.
Participants, who are aged between 12 and 14 years will experience a structured educational programme that will cover such areas as sectarianism, culturalism, relationships, effective communication, drug and alcohol abuse.
Minister Smith said that he was delighted that the VEC learning bus, which is a mobile educational facility for young and old alike, was been utilised so well, as he had approved the €100,000 funding for its acquisition while Minister for Children.
The Minister also acknowledged the key role of the PEACE 111 Programme in funding the project: “None of this would have been possible without the financial backing of the PEACE 111 Programme which has provided funding of €135,000 to Cavan VEC to run the project. As a border Deputy, I am acutely aware of the very positive benefits brought by the various PEACE Programmes. The projects and initiatives supported by this EU programme have done, and continue to do, much to build on the Peace Process through the promotion of reconciliation and shared experiences”, he said.
Before declaring the project officially open, Minister Smith paid tribute to the team behind the Face Off, especially youth workers Louise Smith and Natasha Cassidy; Fiona Maloney, Adult Education Officer of Cavan VEC for ably managing the project; Fiona Keogh and Siobhan Mulleary for their work on the funding application; Patricia Martin and Colette McBreen for on-going administration of the project; Paddy McManus for driving the bus to the various locations and Peter Smith for keeping it so tidy.
