Bus project puts youth services in driving seat

A NEW mobile outreach service for youths in Finglas and Cabra was launched this week by Minister of State for New Communities, Culture, Equality and the National Drug Strategy, Aodhán O’Riordan.

The Bus Project is a service that aims to engage local youths in areas of Dublin 7 and Dublin 11 who are not currently served by a youth service.

The Bus Project is a first for the area, and is designed to solve the problem of young people not coming to youth clubs, by bringing the youth club to them!

The project will offer young people a positive space to hang out and engage with youth workers, while reducing anti-social behaviour in the area it serves. 

“This project is an innovative way of meeting young people where they are at,” Minister O’Riordan said.

“This has to be our collective commitment, to state that we have a problem with substance misuse, to stop blaming people who have a problem, and to deal with young people where they are, which this bus is doing.”

The Bus Project is a collaboration between several youth services, including Cabra for Youth, Finglas Youth Resource Centre, and Crosscare.

The Project is being coordinated by the Finglas Cabra Local Drug & Alcohol Task Force.

Funding for the bus was secured from the Dormant Accounts Fund administered by Pobal.