Dublin, Ireland – Music, poetry, dance, artwork, and more – all created by program participants – were on display during Youth Advocate Programmes Ireland’s “My Voice, My Choice,” National Event held August 12.
Highlighting youth and families is the purpose of YAP Ireland’s annual National Event held every year in August at Dublin’s Croke Park. Among the lineup was The Yappuchinos, a group of young people who learned to play instruments and sing together.
“There’s such negative publicity about young people and children, particularly young people and children who are involved in the child welfare and youth justice programs,” said YAP Ireland CEO Siobhán O’Dwyer. “We want to highlight the amazing abilities, creatives of young people, and from children and parents; that when they’re provided with the right type of support that is non-judgmental and meets them where they’re at, that it encourages them to try new things and believe in themselves.”
YAP Ireland operates in 25 counties, some in rural areas, and was the first community-based organization in Ireland to bring youth out of residential placement and back into their home communities. Approximately 250 youth, parents, agency partners, and staff participated in the National Event. The theme was chosen by youth. It changes every year and is incorporated as a theme in each program and project.
“We started the National Event in 2009, the year after I came to YAP,” Siobhán said. “It was based on the idea of celebrating young people, and parents, and wanting to give them an opportunity to have a nice day out, but also to have their voices heard.”
YAP Advocate Aisleen Harte, a mom of two who has been working with children for over 20 years, shared her book, “My Voice, My Choice,” and the reason behind her decision to write it.
“It’s about empowerment and [youth] using their voices to speak up in difficult situations,” Aisleen said. “I am 40 and I am only getting my voice now. It took me to get strong-willed children to use my own voice. By giving youth everyday scenarios, we can encourage them to use their voice.”
Aisleen has been working with program participant Seana since March and encouraged her to express how she feels. Seana moved to Ireland from the United Kingdom with her dad after her mom died of cancer when she was 12.
“When I came to Ireland, I was struggling because most of my time was spent at home alone and it was getting to me. My dad looked into mental health services and that is when I got into the YAP program,” Seana said. “My YAP Advocate is open to doing a lot of things, like even going to the gym and it’s a good hobby. I also suggested that we do a culture week with different foods since I am Muslim and there’s not much I can usually eat. The program has been good.”
Next year YAP Ireland will celebrate 25 years of providing unique services that are strength-based in helping youth and families who are affected by youth justice, child welfare or behavioral health systems. In addition to YAP Ireland, Youth Advocate Programs (YAP®), Inc. has partner organizations in Guatemala, Sierra Leone and Sydney, Australia.
“A large part of the YAP model is building resilience,” Siobhán said. “We’re a short-term program but [youth] learn something about themselves, ‘like I love to the play the guitar,’ or ‘I like to draw,’ or ‘I got back into running;’ it could be fishing…Their inner strength is worth celebrating.”
Parent Group moms shared how YAP Ireland provided support for them and their children during the event.
“My daughter was at YAP for six months,” the mom of a program participant said. “As parents we still needed help to support our kids. They created a group for us to meet up, and it’s been good for us.”
According to the parent, her daughter was unwell, bullied, and faced racial discrimination.
“She developed an eating disorder at the age of 9, and she only got help because nobody was actually listening to us until she came to YAP,” she added. “My YAP Advocate is the only one who helped my daughter and myself. Now my daughter is in a very good college.”
Another parent said the group meets once a month on Tuesdays, adding that her daughter was a participant of YAP twice, and she is now 28 years-old with 5 kids of her own. Her son was also in YAP.
“I needed someone to talk to,” she said regarding the group. “YAP helped us and our kids.”
Siobhán said it’s powerful for youth and families to share their stories.
“It’s really important to celebrate the good work of YAP and to say to our young people and families ‘look how well you’ve done and there’s a whole world out there for you.’”
YAP® Vice President of International Development Diana Matteson echoed Siobhán’s sentiments during the program.
“I want you to know that you’re never alone in what you’re going through and that your voice matters,” Diana said. “There are young people in America, Sierra Leone, Australia, and Guatemala who are in similar situations, learning and receiving support from their Advocates just like you. I am truly inspired by all of you, and congratulations to YAP Ireland on a successful, phenomenal National Event.”
Additionally, Siobhán emphasized that the National Event would not happen without the staff who work tirelessly to put it together to make it happen.
“It’s important for our partners who fund us to see the outcomes, action, and the real change happening,” she added. “These young people wouldn’t come to YAP if they weren’t referred to us.”
For more information on YAP Ireland, visit: https://yapireland.ie/
