Who We Are
LYCS is an integrated community development organisation, providing education, training, and social and development opportunities to local people living in the North East Inner City (NEIC) of Dublin since 1984.
Principles and Accountability
Our Core Values
We commit to creating opportunities for our learners in the areas of personal development, lifelong learning, employment, health and well-being, family and community, and using our resources effectively to create positive change.
Empowerment &
Self-determination
We work to empower people and communities and support them to make their own choices and decisions.
Equality and Equity
We work to advance equal opportunities for all people to contribute to the creation of a diverse, fair and equitable society.
Human Rights
We work to defend the universal and indivisible nature of human rights, including personal, social, economic and environmental, by promoting and protecting them in all our efforts.
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Sustainability
We work to ensure that our work creates real benefits to local people over the long term and reflect the knowledge, skills and attitudes of our organisation, and to create a sense of global citizenship throughout our programmes.
Partnership
We believe in the value of partnership which is based on mutual trust and support and brings about improved life chances for individuals, families and communities.
Our Story
Lourdes Youth & Community Services (LYCS) was established in 1984, as part of the community development movement which emerged in Dublin’s North inner city in the late 1970’s and 1980s.
Locally based
LYCS operates in an area which has high levels of socio-economic deprivation, which leads to communities being excluded from opportunities that others in society have – in response to this, LYCS works to equip people at local level with the necessary awareness, knowledge and values to make a positive change.
Participation & Integration
We strive to equip local people to work to create a more peaceful, fair and sustainable world. We offer participatory education programmes to every age group that aim to celebrate imagination and innovation, combat discrimination, and to help create an integrated community for all.
Local people themselves should be central to creating positive change in their own lives, but also in the world in general
This belief inspires all we do - everyone has skills and experience to bring into their educational space.
Vision and Mission
LYCS Leading Principles
LYCS envisions a time where no person in this community is left behind; a place where future generations have opportunities to enhance their lives and act as global citizens enriched by excellent education and humanising employment. Our mission is to create educational opportunities that support local people to achieve their full potential as creators of positive change taking informed action to affect local and global transformation.
Community Development
The process of community members coming together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems.
Global Citizenship Education (GCE)
Increasing knowledge and understanding of the rapidly changing, interdependent and unequal world – challenging stereotypes and encouraging independent thinking, and critically exploring how global justice issues interlink with our everyday lives.
Participatory Education
Giving participants the opportunity to engage in the process of creating and guiding their educational journey. It incorporates participant’s voice into all decision making and promotes democratic decision-making.
Advantaged Thinking
Promotion of people’s strengths rather than defining them by their deficits, understanding that working towards people’s aspirations and dreams is just as important as meeting their immediate needs, and invests in people’s potential.
Governance and Finances
Transparency and Accountability
LYCS is committed to using our resources and funding efficiently and effectively, providing value for money and focusing our efforts on achieving positive outcomes. Our governance ensures we meet the highest standard and are transparent and responsible in everything we do.
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