NEWSLETTER

Busy Days In Longford Youthreach
Longford Youthreach had a very active period after the QQI deadlines and the Easter
break. One of our students entered the Yeats Poetry competition which was expertly
organised by Ultan and Sligo Youthreach. While she did not win a prize Chantelle gained
enormously from her participation in the competition and the brilliant day both she and
her peers in the Centre enjoyed at the awards Ceremony in Sligo in June. While Chantelle
Lawrence was writing poetry, Noel was going through the pain barrier when he decided
to climb Croagh Patrick in his barefeet. Most of us struggled to get to the top with the
appropriate footwear but Noel showed no signs of wilting and actually managed to make
it to the peak before some of his “better heeled” colleagues and staff. Avril Tighe also won
the Ladies Ballmahon 5K Run organised by Ballymahon Youthreach to commemorate the
untimely passing of our colleage Seán Callaghan one year ago. Rivermania, Zipit, Drive 4
Life, Swimming, Bubble Ball, Spinning, Pitch & Putt, Snooker and Bowling all played their
part during a hectic summer programme. 12 of our female students also availed of a 4
day on site training programme facilitated on the premises of a very busy local Hair Salon
– experiencing the facilities, demands, professionalism and skills of a fully functioning
commercial operation. Mary Gordon also attended a SEN ICE day which was facilitated by
Ann Marie Beattie. The month of July was dedicated to work experience and the majority
of our students were the recipients of some high praise from many of the local employers.
When August finally came around, the Centre closed it’s doors for a well-earned break and
an end to our first year in operation in the town of Longford. It will all start again in less
than 4 weeks and it will be comforting to know that the Department of Education & Skills
will not be paying a visit, as we already had that privilege a few months ago!!
You left us too young
You were full of laughter
And full of fun.
My eyes fill with tears,
My heart aches with pain,
And up the hill,
That’s when I knew I’d never see again
We had our ups and downs,
But at the end of it all
You always had my back
Even when I acted the clown.
Poem To My Brother
Loved & Missed Pj xx By:Kirstin McQuaid
I would do anything to have you here
With your family, it’s where you belong
You said your goodbyes,
Which should have been enough
But for me it’s still very tough.
Eventually it will hit us,
That you’re in a better place
But until the day God calls me
There will always be an empty space
In my heart that will never be replaced.
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