REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF HER VISIT TO THE YOUTH HORIZONS PROJECT
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF HER VISIT TO THE YOUTH HORIZONS PROJECT, JOBSTOWN ON FRIDAY 12TH JUNE, 1
Just over two weeks ago, I was here in Jobstown to launch “A plan for Jobstown” – which was the culmination of a process of consultation and dialogue between the different interests in the Jobstown community. Today, I am delighted to be back in Jobstown – to visit the Youth Horizons project – and to see your work in this unique project – a project which is aimed at meeting the needs of the people of Jobstown – in training, education and recreation – and giving you opportunities to participate more fully in modern society – a society where it can be all too easy to be left behind.
The Youth Horizons Project has its origins in a wise decision taken ten years ago – to find a way to meet the needs of a relatively small number of older teenagers in Jobstown. It is appropriate at this stage in its history to give deserving credit to Dr. Kathleen Ganter, Sr. Mairead Hughes and Fr. Denis O’Connor – the ‘gang of three’ who facilitated several personal development courses for those young people in 1988. It was the start of a story that was to see them acquire two houses – with National Lottery funding and the proceeds of a Golf Outing - and which were refurbished by members of the group – with welcome assistance from the Sisk Company.
The two houses were to be the foundation for this centre – catering to the needs of today’s youth – needs that are growing more complex and complicated with the fast pace of change – and with the increasing sophistication of industry - that has made it possible for us to be a part of the modern commercial world. It has – in a sense - been the realisation of a dream – and a great deal of hard work – by people who care for and who are committed to the needs of Jobstown’s young people. I want to recognise the great work of those involved in the realisation of this dream – and particularly the others directors – Ronan Connelly, Mary Dalton, Eithne Downey and Tony Hubbard.
Realising the vision has meant enlisting the support of people who can help in fulfilling its objective. I want to give recognition to those who have joined in this unique partnership – the County Dublin VEC – who provide tuition through the Department’s Adult Literacy & Community Education Budget – and who provide additional support through its network of locally-based community adult education providers. This is yet another example of a ‘partnership’ established by committed and dedicated people who know what their own community needs – and have the confidence and spirit to seek help and support wherever they can.
To those who have participated in the projects and courses at Youth Horizons – I want to offer my congratulations on your decision to seize the opportunity – to open or re-open the door to education and training that will give you the chance to realise your own ability and talent – to catch up with developments in industry and commerce – and to seek further education or employment. In doing so you have vindicated those who have had faith in you – and you have given the lead to others who can see what a new opportunity like this can mean in their lives.
Education is not always about diplomas, degrees or certificates. You will all have come from family circumstances – and will have had different influences in your lives. Some of you may have found yourselves out of mainstream education because of family situations – or because of personal difficulty. I have no doubt that some of you will have had obstacles and hurdles to overcome. Meeting those challenges has been an educational experience – and has been central to building your character. It is an experience that will have left an indelible mark on your personality – and one for which there is no certification. All of us have crosses to bear in our lives – and some of us have to face difficulty at a very early age. But each of us has our own talents and ability – and each needs the opportunity to discover for ourselves just what we can achieve. The opportunities you get at Youth Horizons are fulfilling that need in each of you – and giving you the chance to move on to face new challenges with confidence and self-belief.
The secret of success for all of us is to be able to meet change – and to turn challenge into opportunity. As this community develops matures over time, there will be developments in society – changes that will mean that each of us has to look at what we do and how we do it. I want to wish you all well in your work at the youth horizons – work that has meant that you have been able to meet change – and to cater for changing circumstances. I know that you have dedicated people working with you and for you – and that there are many people who have a lot faith in what you are doing.
From what I have seen of your work – and heard of your plans for the future – I have no doubt whatever that your involvement with youth Horizons – will stand to you in the years and decades ahead – and you will be an inspiration to many more young people to do what you have done – in taking control of your lives – and in making a space for yourselves in the modern and dynamic Ireland.