MP cuts ribbon to open Youth Initiatives centre

MP cuts ribbon to open Youth Initiatives centre

17 December 2014

A NEW youth work centre in Downpatrick has been officially opened.

Youth Initiatives, which provides a range of special programmes for young people of all ages, opened its new town centre base in Market Street on Monday.

The organisation works with young people aged from 11 to 18 and leaders and members of the youth work team also out on the streets every week, seeking to build and maintain relationships with young people.

Currently, its street work focuses around the town centre and bus station areas, but Youth Initiatives also has a presence in a number of housing estates.

Monday’s official opening of the new town centre base was performed by South Down MP Margaret Ritchie who praised the work of the cross-community, Christian faith based organisation to address the needs and requirements of young people.

“Youth Initiatives also works to ensure that all forms of help are provided to those who are in need of assistance due to pressures and stresses in their lives,” said the MP.

Miss Ritchie revealed one of her younger relatives was involved with the work of Youth Initiatives and informed her of what it does with young people through the supportive Christian message of assistance, redemption and forgiveness.

The MP explained that through such faith based youth work, the young men and women who are followers of Christ are able to talk to teenagers who have ongoing problems with drug and alcohol addiction, those who are suffering from homelessness, unemployment and lack of self esteem and self worth, redirecting them in other ways through educational paths and referrals to medical and social care facilities. 

“God’s gospel and work of support, forgiveness and salvation continues throughout the global society in many many forms, but we know it is  continuing and alive in Downpatrick today on a cross community basis through Youth Initiatives,” Miss Ritchie continued.

“Each one of us knows that in today’s modern world each one of us is challenged about which path we should take. The Christian message is working through Youth Initiatives to lead our young people away from addictions to seek help; away from anti-social behaviour and violence to find other more positive healthy pursuits which will benefit them, their families and the wider society.”

The MP believes Youth Initiatives can supplement the work of tackling disadvantage and deprivation throughout the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Renewal Area, with its volunteers working in housing estates, talking to young people about their problems and, above all, providing solutions.  

“What better form of social Christian work than for young people to help young people, to listen to them and identify solutions, providing continuing support through prayer and paving the way to an alternative positive way to live their lives,” continued Miss Ritchie.

“To ensure the continuity of such faith based Christian approach to social support and caring work was the need to have a permanent premises in the town centre which has now been provided.”

Miss Ritchie thanked the district’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership and Downpatrick Lions Club for the financial support they provided to establish the new town centre facility.

The MP said Youth Initiatives should work with other organisations in Downpatrick including the Patrician Youth Centre and the South Eastern Education and Library Board Youth Services department who also provide activities for young people and the Greenhill YMCA base in Newcastle.