East Belfast Youth Project hold a celebration evening to highlight their learning and achievements on recent trip to USA

In October 2023, 15 young people and 4 youth workers travelled to Apopka.  The Educational Visit gave young people from East Belfast the opportunity to take part in regular school classes in Apopka High School and also to share their personal experiences of living in Northern Ireland.  The trip allowed the young people to connect on the shared challenges they both face, such as poverty, living in divided societies, peer pressure and sense of identity.

The East Belfast group also had the opportunity to volunteer in Apopka Elementary School with children in Kindergarten to P3, where they demonstrated leadership qualities by leading classes and facilitating the afterschool’s programme called ‘Champions’. 

The young people organised and participated in community bag-packs, sponsored walks, local sponsored events and cake and bun sales within schools and across East Belfast to raise the £35,000 needed to fund the trip. 

EA Youth Worker, Scott Boyd, said: “

The YWIC East programme is a three-year programme which offers young people from East Belfast the opportunity to participate in a structured Leadership development programme.  I feel that the programme offers young people from East Belfast the opportunity to develop as people and broaden their horizons whilst participating in residential experiences and international travel, such as the trip to Apopka in Central Florida.

“The young people attended Apopka High School and participated in regular school classes. They worked alongside their American counterparts to share experiences and facilitate group-work sessions around issues they both face.  All of this wouldn’t be possible without the support of our Florida friends, particularly Matthew & Erika Houvouras of Apopka High School.”

Charlee Fitzgerald, from East Belfast YWIC, said:

“I think that this programme needs to continue as it is such an eye opener for both Protestant and Catholic young people.  I have gained many new experiences that cannot be got in any other programmes in East Belfast which makes this project so different and unique.”

Baxter Phair, from East Belfast YWIC, said:

“This programme MUST continue as it has been one of the greatest learning and fulfilling experiences I have ever had in my life.  The young people of East Belfast need this programme as it truly gives us opportunities that some of our parents could never provide us.”