Letterkenny Youth Information centre, which is part of Donegal Youth Service, have recently welcomed two new European Volunteers to the centre as part of their continued involvement in the European Voluntary Service.
The centre are a host and sending organisation for EVS, which offers young people between the ages of 18 to 30 the opportunity to travel and work in another European Youth or Community project for a period of up to 12 months.
Carmen Serrano from Valencia from Spain and Eugenia Tallero from Genova in Italy will now spend the next 9 months living and working in the centre, providing support in the YIC Letterkenny and Loft LK projects.
EVS funds travel, accommodation and living expenses for the volunteer. In order to participate in the European Voluntary Service you must have the support of a sending organisation to be able to apply to take part. Staff at the Letterkenny YIC can now help young people identify opportunities across Europe, support them through the application process and also educate them about potential countries they will travel to.
Letterkenny Youth Information Centre have been a host organisation for EVS for the past 5 years. As Youth Information Officer Martin Keeney explains however they have been keen to help young people from Donegal get the chance to take part also.
“Having hosted volunteers here in Letterkenny we have seen firsthand the benefits it can bring for the participants. EVS provides a great opportunity for a young person to experience a different culture, improve their language skills and gain new employment skills also.”
If you would like to find out more about the European Voluntary Service you can contact a member of staff in the Youth Information at 16-18 Port Road, Letterkenny. Tel: 07491-29640.