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History of Youthreach Subla Centre Youthreach Subla Centre, formerly known as ‘The Subla Centre’, began in 2003 as an education centre for young traveller men. It ran in this format for four years until the City of Waterford VEC undertook the running of the centre in 2007 and it became a Youthreach centre. Since then, it has provided integrated education for traveller and non-traveller, as well as male and female students. The location of the centre's premises has also changed over the years. Until 2009, YSC operated from a unit in Tycor Business Centre. Then a temporary premises in Catherine Street was used for an eight month transition period until the new purpose-designed centre at Lacken Road Business Park was ready. Since April 2010, this new centre has developed to include kitchen, woodwork, IT, art and classroom facilities. An outdoor seating area designed and constructed by YSC students has recently been completed. Our location allows for easy access to facilities at the Kingfisher Sports centre. Courses offered at YSC have changed and evolved in response to our students’ needs over the years. Junior Cert, Leaving Cert Applied, FETAC Level 3 in General Learning BTEI courses and Fasttrack to IT (FIT) courses have been offered. Each year, staff examine the student profile and decide on the most appropriate courses to offer. The centre is also used by various other youth and community groups to run woodwork and literacy & numeracy courses in the afternoons. Mark O’Sullivan has been Co-ordinator since 2007. Stephen Dineen worked in the former Subla Centre for one year before becoming full-time Resource Person at Youthreach Subla Centre in 2007. Maria O’Shea-Enright has been the full-time 22 hour teacher since 2007. Liam Russell provides counselling services to YSC students and also teaches part-time on the BTEI course. Two groups of WIT students from the Social Care or Health Promotion courses come on work placement to YSC each academic year, one group between September and December and the second group between January and May. The WIT students offer support to YSC students and teachers as necessary in classes and general centre activities. The Waterford Traveller Youth Support Project share the building and provide valuable after-school supports to young Travellers in Primary and Secondary schools in the city.
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