About Citywise
Who we are
Citywise is a not-for-profit organisation which was set up to run education, sporting and personal development programmes. It began in 1991 in Dublin as a response to educational under-achievement of young people living in difficult city backgrounds and was formally established in 1994.
Over the past fifteen years it has gradually developed a range of supports for young people in Southhill, Limerick; in Ballymun, in Jobstown, in Ballynacargy, Westmeath and in Belfast.
Our Development
In 2005, Citywise opened a 1,500 sq m purpose built education and outdoor centre in Jobstown to serve the education, social and personal development needs of young people, especially those in their teenage years in West Tallaght. This achievement was the result of focussed hard work over a ten year period in the area. Over 300 young people, ranging from highly alienated youth to local young people with third level aspirations, use the centre activities regularly, the limitation of their involvement impeded only by staffing levels.
The idea, which lies at the heart of all Citywise activities. is that once a young person gets involved, Citywise seeks to maintain that involvement over a number of years, providing the person with greater educational motivation and ensuring that they engage in constructive sporting and youth pursuits. Citywise Education was set up as an independent company in West Tallaght to run this centre (The Durkan Centre).
There are also Citywise activities elsewhere. Currently In Ballymun Citywise is working with the Plough Club in developing a new centre along the lines of that in West Tallaght. In other areas (Belfast, Ballynacargy, Limerick) activities take place in rented premises and depend almost totally on volunteer input.
What we give
Academic work is the focal point of Citywise programmes. Young people learn to work hard, acquire study habits and develop their academic ambition. Recognising the threat that drugs, gangs and crime present to a youngster’s future, Citywise gives importance to personal development. Achievement cannot be separated from character. Citywise emphasises the importance of character development, personal qualities and the need for each young person to serve society. Students learn that there is always someone else who is more needy than themselves. Families play a crucial role in a child’s education. Citywise looks for a strong commitment from parents.
