Carlow Regional Youth Service

About Us

Carlow Regional Youth Services (CRYS) is a local voluntary service affiliated to Youth Work Ireland. It was set up in 1988 with one part-time worker and its mission was to support and promote community based youth work. We provide direct programmes and services for young people at risk and we support young people by putting their agendas on the agendas of the decision makers. We provide a wide range of services and opportunities through community based youth work programmes, drop in, specialised services for young people at risk, leadership training, etc.

CRYS works with young people aged between 8-23 years. While offering a comprehensive service to young people in the Carlow area, with a community based project in Graiguecullen and John Sweeney Park, Youth Cafe in Burrin Street, there is also a strong focus on surrounding areas such as Tullow, Bagenalstown, Hacketstown and Borris. Partnership is key to our work. To that end we work with a range of other agencies including the HSE, Regional Drugs Task Force, Carlow County Council, Carlow County Childcare Committee , School Completion, to name a few. Our work is primarily divided into three age groups:

  • 8-12 year olds- Afterschool /Homework Support, Junior Youth Group Programme, Summer Camp. This accounts for approximately 15% of all of our work.
  • 12-18 year olds- Drop in facility, Planned Youth Work Programmes, Youth Participation Programmes, Youth Leadership Training, Specialist Support Services, etc –This accounts for 70% of our overall work.
  • 8-23 year olds – Volunteer Training, Youth Work Accredited Training, some services for vulnerable young adults in their social time. This accounts for 15% of our work.

Our Mission

“We work to empower young people to achieve their potential through quality youth work.”

Our Services

CRYS provides a wide range of services and opportunities through:

  • The Vault
  • Graiguecullen Community Based Youth Project
  • Bagenalstown Youth Project
  • Sports Development Project
  • Cafe Jamrock, Tullow
  • YARC Follaine Counselling Services
  • Specialised Services for Young People At Risk
  • Leadership Training

Contact

Carlow Regional Youth Service
Montgomery House
Athy Road
Carlow
(t) 059-913 0476