Adecadeofsuccessstories markedforCABLEproject
FROM an empty shell to a home from home for those in need of support.
A decade of working with young people in the North Drogheda area was celebrated last Thursday, when The CABLE Garda Diversion Project marked 10 successful years.
The project opened its doors in Moneymore in May 2008 and co-ordinator, Allen O’Donoghue has been there every step of the way.
“I can still remember getting the keys to the house and walking into a dusty old building and thinking, what the hell have I let myself in for? “says Allen, recalling the very first time he walked in the door of the project premises “There was literally nothing in the building bar a few mice who were not too impressed with me disturbing their party! I had to start the process of buying a couple of chairs and figure out how we can get some young people into the service.”
Along with then community Garda Anita O’Shea, Allen began putting programmes together to work with young people who were in need of support to help them keep on track.
“The overarching aim of a Garda Diversion Project is to keep young people out of the court system, but in real terms, it is so much more than that. It’s far too simplistic to say, do a drug or crime awareness programme with these young people and all will be grand. You have to take each individual participant, find out what their individual needs are, gain their trust, which can take some time as they may not have had particularly positive interactions with adults, and build a programme around their interests and also showing them, they have so much more to offer than they think.
Sometimes we might be the only adult who has shown any belief in them” Allen points out. “This is actually one of the things I love most about the job. We’ve literally done every kind of programme over the years, computer building, mental and physical health programmes, sports programmes, photography programmes, crime and drug awareness programmes, electronic programmes, cookery programmes, literally everything you could imagine. If the young people don’t like something, they’re not afraid to let you know!”
In 2017 the project, after a long nine years of looking for it, got a second worker and Bronagh Conlon brought all her vast experience to the role of outreach worker. With Bronagh coming on board, the catchment area shifted from being solely north Drogheda, to take in Clogherhead, Termonfeckin and Dunleer. “It has been a really interesting task to build up the service in these areas as, traditionally, there has been very little outside of sports clubs, for young people to do,” Bronagh says. “Although I do work with young people in the North Drogheda area, my main focus is supporting participants in the other areas. We’re currently working with the local communities to see how we can all provide physical spaces for young people. It’s going to be a lot of work but we will get there as the communities are getting right behind us!”. The celebration event was really well attended by locals and past and present participants with speeches from Anita O’Shea JLO, Colin McAree Foroige regional manager, Tommy Bracken a former participant and both Allen and Bronagh giving their two cents! As Allen acknowledges, the project wouldn’t be here today without the young people, local community, gardai and volunteers that have helped and taken part over the years. “We want to say a massive thank you, and here’s to another 10 years!”