Volunteer to change a young person’s life

THE former governor of Mountjoy Prison, John Lonergan, will address Foróige’s conference on volunteering today.

Mr Lonergan, who worked for 42 years in our prison service, will make an appeal for more men to become involved in youth development. Though he emphasised that he was not being in any way critical of today’s female-led youth services, he said it is necessary to “re-balance” the gender ratios of youth workers. He emphasised that, particularly in socially disadvantaged areas, the absence of positive male role models is having a negative impact on young men.

It is hard to disagree with Mr Lonergan’s assertion, as young people exposed to all of the influences at play in society are probably better equipped to find a worthwhile place in it.