THE Head Teacher at Limerick Prison has received special recognition from Gaisce, the President’s Award organisation, for her work in helping young people to achieve their potential.
Anita Dooley was one of 34 President’s Award Leaders (PALs) presented with Civic Merit Awards for supporting young people taking part in the Gaisce programme.
Commenting on the impact Gaisce has had in Limerick Prison, Ms Dooley said it was important to move away from the stereotype that if young people are in jail, they’ll never achieve anything else.
She believes that Gaisce is intrinsic to that shift in perception – that change in attitude from prisoners, staff and the institution as a whole. It becomes an achievable goal.
“I always think that in prison education and in prison life in general, promising somebody something is no good. You have to deliver it and it has to have a tangible result. When young people complete the Gaisce programme, they are thrilled that it is something that other people get on the outside.
“It gives them a talking point. It gives them something that if they go in to a job when they leave prison and somebody says ‘my kid is doing Gaisce’, they can say I did that and I got the medal.
“It’s self-worth, that they believe they can do it and I love seeing that in them. One thing leads to another. It just takes a bit of belief to get everything off the ground,” Ms Dooley added.
Paying tribute to the 34 awardees, Gaisce Acting Chief Executive Avril Ryan said their dedication to the principles and outcomes of the Gaisce programme ensures the continued value society places upon the personal development and wellbeing of young people and their achievements.
“It also promotes Gaisce’s vision that young people have every opportunity to dream big and fulfil their potential. For many young people a Gaisce Award is often the first time they receive any recognition for their achievements,” she explained.
Since its inception in 1985, more than 300,000 young Irish people have completed a Gaisce Award programme.
