#BelfastLife
"AWAKENING HOPE
IN YOUNG PEOPLE"
MISSION
"Youth Initiatives exists to reach out to young people and connect them to positive relational environments, where they can grow in faith and life skills, serve others and honour God with their lives"
Youth Initiatives is a cross community youth work which aims to awaken hope, inspire initiative, mobilise youth to make a vital contribution to their community and to reconciliation in Northern Ireland
Since 1991 Youth Initiatives has worked with thousands of young people across Northern Ireland. Using a holistic approach we work with young people through schools, parishes, weekly project and outreach.
For the past 3 years, I have been living and serving in Belfast, Northern Ireland working for Youth Initiatives as a faith development worker. Based in the Colin Area of West Belfast I am a well known face as I work with over a 1000 young people through schools work, parish involvement, and YI programmes.
Schools work allows us to connect with young people in their daily environment. At St. Colm’s Secondary School, I lead sessions in their RE classes giving young people space to explore faith, morals, self and character development. For many of them it’s a space for them to ask the hard questions in life and be listened to. Our team also connects with local primary schools- leading school retreats and assemblies around topics of faith.
YI is connected with the three local Catholic parishes based in the Colin area. Even though the entire area is Irish Catholic few people attend Mass especially young people. I have the opportunity to help bridge this gap through a youth group called the Well. The Well is a collaboration between YI and the parishes where young people explore their faith and connect with the Catholic Church. The Faith Development Project also helps run youth masses, service opportunities, and other seasonal programmes for young people in the parish.
YI runs regular middle and high school programmes throughout the week that I connect with and help lead faith sessions through. Many of these projects are cross community based bridging the gap between Catholics and Protestant communities. I attend our weekly Lifeline programme for high schoolers while leading a small group and mentoring young woman. It’s an incredible blessing journeying alongside young people as they discover who God created them to be.
