Fundraiser at the Venue for Ratoath youth cafés

A GROUP of 60 young people from Ratoath were welcomed to the Venue Theatre to view a movie last Thursday in the first organised social event for young people at the theatre. The students paid €5 each to see the movie 'Tropic Thunder' starring Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr, Jack Black and they were able to buy confectionary on the night. A small group of adults were on hand to support the students. Proceeds on the night went towards fundraising for a youth café in Ratoath. Nick Killian, Manager of the Venue said that he and Minister Mary Wallace TD met with a large gathering of parents, representatives of community clubs, local schools and government state agencies in October following a 'public call in Ratoath by them for suggestions and ideas as to how the community could work together to further develop all the wonderful facilities they have for young people and in particular to cater for the age group 15-17, who themselves are anxious to establish social facilities for their age group'. 'An alcohol-free place for teenagers to chill out with their friends was suggested as a further facility for our young people in the area. A committee was set up to look at the logistics of setting up an alcohol-free youth café in Ratoath. Following a recent visit to the Youth Cafe in Corduff, Blanchardstown, the committee decided that they are going to pursue a Foroige type ethos for the proposed youth cafe. Training will be arranged in the New Year for both adults and students on the running of a youth café. Funding initiatives are being examined on an ongoing basis. €40,000 of funding has already been secured and matching funding will be the group"s aim for the New Year,' said Cllr Killian. Adult volunteers are needed to support the young people in organised activities over the coming year. Anyone interested is asked to contact Yvonne at Mary Wallace"s office on 01-8256259.