Equality and Diversity
The Donegal Youth Service (DYS) is committed to promoting equality and diversity throughout the organisation. The DYS welcomes individuals to participate fully in our projects and activities regardless of their gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religious belief (or no religious belief), age, disability, race, membership of the Traveller community or political opinion.
The DYS is committed to ensure that it fulfils its legal obligations under existing equality legislation. The DYS seeks to actively demonstrate its celebration of diversity and its commitment to equality by placing these tenets central to all the policies, processes and procedures of the organisation. DYS adheres to the Employment Equality Act, 1998, the Equal Status Act, 2000 and the Equality Act, 2004.
DYS is committed to prevent any form of discrimination, inequality or denial of equal opportunity, whether direct or indirect against young people, staff, prospective staff members and volunteers.
Our commitment to Equality and Diversity is practically demonstrated through our work on specific projects designed to tackle racism, sectarianism and homophobia. Below is a snapshot of our current work in the area of promoting equality and diversity.
Breakout
The “Breakout” project is an example of our commitment to the LGBT community
‘BreakOut’ is an LGBT group for 16-23yr olds in Donegal established in 2009 when a range of professional agencies got together to begin to address the issues affecting young LGBT people across the county. The project is a responsive and reactive project designed to offer young LGBT people a safe space to meet and socialise. The breakout group meets every week at the Donegal Youth Service headquarters.
Worldwide Voices
The “Worldwide voices” project is an example of our commitment to young people from minority backgrounds
The Donegal Youth Service has a long history of engaging with young people from ethnic minorities and the Worldwide voices project is an extension of this work.We have created a dance group, drumming circles and delivered song writing workshops. This group gives young people from all backgrounds in Donegal a platform to express themselves through Music Sports, and Politics.The Worldwide voices project is for all young people regardless of their cultural background or gender. Please contact us for more information!
Epiic
The Empowering People in Inclusive Integrated Communities (Epiic) program is an example of our commitment to tackling sectarianism
The Epiic program works in three areas in Northern Ireland and three areas in Donegal. The project brings young people from the six areas together to work on tackling sectarianism. They are receiving training on, Developing Leadership Skills, Conflict Resolution and Understanding Diversity. These groups are meeting weekly in Strabane and Ballybofey.