Ballysillan Youth For Christ (the BlueHouses)

The community drop-in centre was established in the heart of the Silverstream Estate, Ballysillan, in 1993, in response to the needs of the area.  The aims of the centre remain the same today as they did when established:

1. To build meaningful and long term relationships with young people
2. To support young people in fulfilling their potential through participation in programmes which meet their social, spiritual, educational, physical and emotional needs within a safe environment
3. To promote opportunities for reconciliation to take place, enabling healing in the lives of individuals and communities

   As a result our contact with the young people in the local area now finds itself in the shape of the following programmes:

   Monday Night Drop In (7-12 year olds), After Schools Football Coaching (8-11 year olds), R.E. lessons & Art club in Ballysillan Primary, R.E. lessons in Girls Model Secondary, Girls group (11-14 years), Tuesday Night Drop-In (12+ years), referrals from the Probation Board and Youth Justice Agency, late night indoor football, Afternoon Drop In (12+ years), Boys Group (11-14 years), Boys Group (8-11 years) cross community projects, Social Action programmes, discipleship & mentoring programmes & a 6 week summer programme.

   The above programmes offer educational, recreational, spiritual, personal development and mentoring opportunities for all those involved, many of whom are at risk of becoming involved in drug/alcohol abuse, as well as facing issues such as self harm and suicide.  The projects run over the past year have simply enhanced our opportunities to engage with the community and work alongside many individuals and become part of their story.