Limerick City Volunteering Initiative 2009 - 2010

Grants Promoting a Culture of Volunteerism, Active Citizenship and Service Learning in Limerick City Secondary Schools

The Limerick City Volunteering Initiative is a programme supported by PAUL Partnership which aims to promote volunteering and to provide support for volunteers in Limerick City.  Limerick City has a strong tradition of getting involved in community and voluntary activities. 

With this in mind the Volunteering Initiative for the academic year 2009 – 2010 will again support a Culture of Volunteerism in Limerick City Secondary Schools by making available funding in the form of grants of up to €1,000.00 for school projects that promote and encourage active citizenship, volunteerism and participation in school and local communities.

The purpose of the initiative is to have students volunteer and explore how volunteering can make an important contribution to their own lives, their school, community, club, city and the wider world.  By participating in this initiative students will have the opportunity in a supportive environment to look at the value of being personally involved, taking ownership of their own project, looking outside of their own world to a wider circle of influence and being able to experience the important part they play in their own community and the world.  In carrying out this project cross-curricular activities and cross-fertilisation of knowledge, culture and experiences will be encouraged.

During the year 2008 – 2009 six secondary schools in Limerick participated in the initiative.  Grants were awarded for projects that had a Social Inclusion and Integration theme.  This will continue with a further development to include another theme, that of Our Environment.  Themes and volunteering support needs specific to a particular school will also be considered.

If your school would like to participate please fill in the Grant Application Form and return it to me as soon as possible.  Details of the programme need to be finalised by end of October.  Decisions on the awarding of grants will be in early November.  Funding should be allocated by the end of November.

Please let me know as soon as possible if you want to participate.  I am conscious that there is a Mid-Term Break next week.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.  I look forward to working with you.

Best wishes

Monica

Monica O'Brien Smith 061-419388 mobriensmith@paulpartnership.ie