GREATER BALLYCLARE YFC
Local Centres
Local YFC centres are hubs of life, beacons of light in the darkness. They’re reaching young people – and whole families – that the local church often struggles to reach. The work is gritty and unglamorous, yet the Kingdom influence and impact each centre is making is incredible.
Stuart Hawthorne (Minister in Carnmoney Presbyterian)
YFC CENTRES ARE AMAZING!
Teams of staff, volunteers and local board members and supporters seeing, and responding to a generation of young people beyond the reach of the church. There are currently 10 YFC centres and projects across NI.
YFC provides a neutral and safe environment for young people from all backgrounds to come together and grow personally, socially, educationally and spiritually, while tackling many of the issues prevalent for young people in society today.
Nationally we are committed to each YFC centre, intentionally equipping and investing to develop the whole team. Support them prayerfully, practically and pastorally.
Simon Heatherington, chair of the board of Ballysillan YFC, put it like this
The support the Bluehouses (Ballysillan YFC) have received, and continue to receive from the YFC National office has been incredible over the years; particularly in recent years when we have had to deal with some extremely difficult situations. Knowing that the National office are always on-hand to provide guidance, resources and most importantly, support, is such a comfort to the whole Bluehouses team!
OUR CENTRES
OUR METHODS
Centre based drop -ins
‘Drop-in’ programs have become synonymous with Youth for Christ over the last 2 decades. Centres and their ‘drop-in’ programs are places within their communities that become a safe space or home from home for young people in need. There are Informal and uncontested spaces for young people to play games, have a comfy seat, get food and hear about more opportunities to get involved in guys and girls groups or mentoring programs.
Schools Engagement
Marginalised and at risk young people often struggle in school settings and we recognise the opportunity to help. YFC are heavily involved in the lives of the local schools. Across different centres YFC staff are recognised as Chaplains, part of the pastoral team and friends of the school. Schools are often a great place of first contact with young people introducing them to YFC and staff while allowing us to contribute to broader needs of the child.
Detached Outreach on the Streets
YFC recognises the need to meet young people where they are, including meeting them on the streets as they search for their own space to hang out. These places are unsupervised and can be hotspots for antisocial activity and risk taking behaviour. Engaging young people on the street often includes building relationships and often inviting them to centre based activity or providing food like hot chocolate and donuts.