Young people in Kilkenny are now benefiting from a newly refurbished ‘youth space’ and information workshops at the Chillax Youth Group, thanks to funding of €10,000 from AIB, High Street, Kilkenny.
The funding, awarded under the AIB Better Ireland Programme, was used to refurbish a dedicated space for the youth group, purchase new materials and equipment and to organise drug and alcohol awareness workshops for the young people.
The Chillax Youth Group is for young people aged 14 to 18 years who participate in informal activities at the Loughboy Area Resource Centre and socialise in a safe and secure environment. The group are encouraged to participate in awareness programmes to discuss teenage issues so that they may become empowered to make positive decisions to safeguard their health and become valued members of the community.
Antoinette Chappell, Volunteer Youth Leader, Chillax Youth Group, commented: “Thanks to the funding from the AIB Better Ireland Programme, we have been able to make a number of improvements to the centre for the youth group and organise some workshops for them. This has allowed us to empower the young people, educate them on issues they face and provide them with a safe, secure place to socialise with their friends.”
Speaking about the group, Anne Marie Freyne, Branch Manager, AIB High Street Kilkenny said: “We would like to congratulate Chillax Youth Group for providing local young people with new activities and important information. It’s great to see at first hand how AIB’s funding of €10,000 is being used, and what a positive impact it is having on the children. At AIB High Street Kilkenny, we’re delighted to be supporting this worthwhile local project, which is one of the 185 projects supported nation-wide by the AIB Better Ireland Programme in 2008.”
