Society of Actuaries in Ireland’s 50th Anniversary Charity Partnership with the Irish Youth Foundation

The Society of Actuaries in Ireland is delighted to partner with the Irish Youth Foundation to raise money for their Flagship Fund.

The goal of this fund is to support projects and programmes around the country as they work to undo the catastrophic damage the Covid-19 fallout has inflicted on our most marginalised and vulnerable children and young adults.  The pandemic has been hard for everyone. But it’s been devastating for those children and young people living in disadvantaged conditions. Lockdown has meant education prospects have been severely affected. Mental health and wellbeing have taken a battering. Pathways to meaningful employment have been blocked off. 

“While we have been in the same storm, we most certainly have not been in the same boat”

In addition, Youth Workers will now play an important role in welcoming young people from Ukraine into our communities, providing safe spaces, educational support, a gateway into their new community and signposting to additional services. For those young people joining us from Ukraine, they have endured an untold upheaval and are now coming to terms with making a new life in Ireland. We must ensure they have our support.

Sheelagh Malin, SAI President 2021/2022, said: “As actuaries we are fortunate to have had the education, opportunities and support to fulfil our potential in a rewarding profession – something we can often take for granted.  Through this Charity Partnership, we will help raise additional funds for the Irish Youth Foundation that will be used to support, educate and train young people who are living in difficult circumstances through no fault of their own.  Please be generous in your donations to give the most vulnerable in our society the opportunity to thrive.

The Society of Actuaries in Ireland will match aggregate donations up to a maximum of €25,000.

Thanks to you, we’ve raised (excluding SAI matched donations)

€25,005.00

Let’s keep it up!

SAI Charity Partnership

*If you donate €250 or more in any one year, The Irish Youth Foundation can claim an additional 45% in tax back.
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Donation Total: €250.00

The impact of your support

The Irish Youth Foundation is a registered charity and grant making foundation in the Republic of Ireland dedicated solely to meeting the needs of children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Our Focus Areas

There are 3 key areas which have the power to lift children and young people up and out of poverty:

By focusing our efforts in these carefully selected, game-changing pillars, we can arm marginalised young people with the tools they need to make their way in the world and ensure they have a bright future to look forward to.

Your support of the Irish Youth Foundation will help us to

1

Fund more homework clubs and after school support in communities experiencing severe disadvantage

€100

Funds a school completion programme for two children for one school term who otherwise would be at immediate risk of early school leaving

2

Invest in safe spaces in areas of social and economic disadvantage where youth workers and community leaders can directly support young people

€250

Funds a programme for a teen parent living in severe disadvantage supporting them to reach their Leaving Cert, access employment opportunities and provide positive life experiences for them and their babies.

3

Fund projects and programmes that are actively re-engaging and retraining disadvantaged youth as immediate priority

€500

Helps to furnish a wellbeing space with beanbags, lighting, books, and other materials. Giving young people a safe space to relax in.

The Young people we support

We support children and young people in disadvantaged communities across Ireland. Both rural and urban. In cities, towns and villages. Here are their stories:
A Stitch in Time
A Stitch in Time is a three part documentary series which gives young people across Ireland a chance to tell their stories directly. Watch the series below.
A Stitch In Time – Ep 1, Dublin
A Stitch In Time – Ep 2, Waterford
A Stitch In Time – Ep 3, Limerick

A WHILE AGO I WAS IN THE HALL AND I TOLD LEAH [HER YOUTH WORKER] SOMETHING MY FRIENDS DON’T EVEN KNOW

IT WAS LIKE THE END OF OUR CHILDHOOD

AS A TRAVELLER YOU DON’T GET MANY OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THAT. ONCE YOU LEAVE SCHOOL NOBODY WILL COME AFTER YOU

I USED TO TALK TO ANYBODY. I COULD WALK UP AND JUST START A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE SKY BEING BLUE. NOW WHEN I WALK UP TO SOMEONE IT TAKES ME ABOUT TEN MINUTES TO START A CONVERSATION

WHEN I WENT BACK [TO SCHOOL] I NOTICED IT. I’D JUST SIT THERE AND WOULDN’T DO ANYTHING. AND WAIT FOR THE BELL TO GO

I KNOW I AM CAPABLE, I CAN HAGGLE AND I’VE A GOOD HEAD ON MY SHOULDERS, BUT IF I DON’T GET AWAY FROM HERE, I’LL BE STUCK. I’VE SEEN SO MUCH DRUGS AND VIOLENCE; I WANT MORE FOR MY LIFE

IF I DIDN’T GO TO THE YOUTH CENTRE I’D PROBABLY BE ON THE DOLE

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