A Word from our Founder

Peace Corps was born out of the deep desire of some young people to do something practical in their community.  When Christine Simpson and that first group of friends came together in Ballyfermot to do some ‘caring in the community’ they didn’t want an elaborate framework. But they did need a back-up structure to support their personal talents - a structure that would enhance their work and promote their ideals. Peace Corps - Localise has these very simple principles. Maybe that’s why it has been able to adapt to changing times.

From day one our motto has been ‘Caring in the community’. Young people love action. So, the main purpose of Peace Corps - Localise is to empower young people, through reflection and training, to be effective work units in their own local community. In this way their talents are tapped and confidence is encouraged.

The core of that structure was people. Peace Corps - Localise is all about people. It’s about people like our coordinators and adult leaders. It’s about those people who support those coordinators and adult leaders. Of course the people at the centre of Peace Corps - Localise are the young people themselves- the young members of Peace Corps - Localise. They are the people we salute, applaud and recognise. These are committed people who will stick with it, people who will be there not just on the bright Sundays in June but on the wet Tuesdays in February.

Young people today are as generous as ever. We can proudly and gratefully say that our young members continue to cultivate those traditions today. It is my earnest prayer, however, that those young people will, in turn, continue to be supported by adults, who are prepared to help with ‘caring in the community’.

Siochain Libh!
John Wall