Mission Statement

With the economic climate and ensuing high increase in unemployment in our area over the last year, we concentrate more on providing training and education for the unemployed in order to up-skill them and give them something productive to do during their period of unemployment. The Life Skills and IT courses we ran from May onwards proved very effective. We will, in 2010, continue to look at this area and access funding to orgaize further courses. The main problem with those newly unemployed, apart from little money, is the long days and finding something to replace work each day. This leads to despondancy and in some cases severe depression. We hope to look at providing a wider range of activities which will help combat this.

One of these activities which we have been working on for some time now is the community garden and allotments. This will be developed in conjunction with Meitéal Bhéal Seanaidh at the back of the old convent. We have got permission from the HSE to use it and await written confirmation. We are also hoping to set up allotments at the back of the Senior Citizen's Houses in Erne Dale. This will provide an occupation for those who need to keep busy when they do not have employment. We are very active in assisting resident's assocations to access funding, to look after the environment where they live and providing information on what is available to help them do so. We liaise on a regular basis with the Town Council and Donegal County Council to help us deliver relevant infromation and assistance to the residents.

We have applied for capital funding towards buying the buiding next door to the Atlantic View CDP and developing a mediation centre whcih we will run Cross Border. We have been working with various groups Cross Border for the last six years and through this have recognised the need for this facility.

We will continue our open door policy for anyone who need assistance in any way and to work with the many community groups, individuals and agencies in the area by accessing funding, organising educational and training courses, group activities and events, providing information, photocopying, poster/tickets, computer access(e-mail, Iternet) for idividuals and groups, counselling, access to consultants on domestic violence, free meeting room space, research, plus promoting network locally, regionall and nationally.

We continue to give work placement opportunities and supervision to students from the various colleges and training centres in the area who request it.

We work Cross Border with Ardmonagh Family Centre, Turf Lodge, Belfast, the Ballybeen Women's Centre, Dundonald and ithers arranging four workshops per ear in pece building.

We write, edit, print and deliver up to 1000 copies of a quarterly Newsletter highlighting relevant information for the community

Ethos

• A concern for tackling inequality, injustice and exclusion within the community.
  
• That the people and communities have the capacity to influence change.
  
• That change is influenced by the mixture of action and reflection.
  
• A belief that people and communities will make decisions for themselves if given the right information, support and training.
  
• A belief that groups working together can influence positive change.
  
• A deep belief of the worth of every individual.
  
• To create an atmosphere of self help in the community and target groups.

Strategic Aims

• To work with community groups towards achieving empowerment, inclusion and an anti poverty strategies for all in our community
  
• To tackle poverty, inequality and injustices within our community
  
• To encourage groups to work together towards positive change.
  
• To instil the belief that people and communities will make the right decision for themselves if given the right
  
• Information, education, support and training
  
• To create an atmosphere of self help in target groups and the community.

Actions	Who	When	Where	Expected Outcome
We have apllied for funding to buy the building next doo to us and develop a Mediation Centre	Atlantic View CDP staff & management with new committee	As soon as funding is available	Main St., Ballyshannon	Mediation training for those involved in Community Development work on both sides of the Border
Setting up a company/committee/managemant to develop the Mediation Centre	Atlantic View CDP management & staff	As soon as funding is available	Main St., Ballyshannon	The efficient running of the Mediation Centre