Newlife

Howth/Sutton Lions Club have donated €4,000 to the New Life Centre in Darndale to help fund a Grinds Programme for junior and leaving certificate students.

Presenting the cheque to Fr Terry, Lion President Chuni Phukan said “We are very proud to be associated with the wonderful work being carried out by Fr Terry and his colleagues in the New Life Centre. This is the second year we’ve supported the Grinds Programme which helps young people achieve success in their examinations and hopefully opens opportunities for their future career. The benefit of the Grinds Programme to the young participants is immense and it deserves all the support it can get.”

This year (2008) the New Life Centre Grinds Programme, running from January to May, catered for approximately 200 young people. Commenting on the programme FR Terry said “The young people, who worked hard, all did very well with the majority receiving honours at their different levels. One Junior Certificate student got 5 A’s, 5 B’s and a C all in honour subjects.”

The Darndale and Belcamp area of north Dublin is one of the most disadvantaged areas of Dublin with a population of circa 7,200. 44 per cent of the population is under age 14 and 65 per cent under age 24. 47 per cent of the labour force in the area is unemployed and 10 per cent never had employment in their lives. Records show that 66 per cent of the adult population left school before completing their Leaving Certificate exams.

The New Life Centre began operating in the area in 1999 and aims to assist individuals to break through the issues that stop them accessing mainstream life. It strives to enhance their potential through social, educational and personal development programmes.

Today, the Centre provides an extensive range of services, in addition to the Grinds programme, including counselling, various clubs for 8 – 21 year olds, a Drop in Centre, homework clubs, sacramental programmes and a wide variety of Adult Courses.

19 November 2008

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Over: Fr Terry receiving a cheque for €4,000 from President Chuni for the Newlife Centre, Darndale. Also present from Howth Sutton Lions is Lions Past District Governor, Gerald Langford.