13/04/2018
Resignation Letter from Andrea Johnston.
It is with great regret that I have resigned from my temporary post as Worker in Charge in St Malachy's Youth Centre. I have accepted a position with Holy Trinity Youth Centre working with young people at risk. This was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make given that I loved my job.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank the management committee for all the trust and faith they put in me to help get the new youth centre up and running. They believed in me when I advocated on behalf of the young people, designed and delivered needs led programmes, applied for funding and managed the finances, to name a few. It wasn't easy at times but they were always there to help and support me, I appreciated this thank you so much.
To my work colleagues and now my friends, thank you all so much for everything you have done for me, the time and effort you put into the young people of the area and helping make the youth centre what it is today. Without the commitment and dedication you show it would be impossible to provide this much needed service to the parish.
To the Market community who welcomed me into the area and made me feel at home, this helped me immensely and made my job much easier.
To the organisations with whom I co-worked with, this collaborative working enhanced the resources we were able to provide to the young people and ensured they received the best service we could offer.
Finally to my young people, how can I put into words not what I have done for you but what you have done for me: this will, by no means do you justice. You have shown me acceptance, especially in times when your boundaries, values and beliefs were pushed you accepted not only me but others from different communities, race and religions. You filled my days with fun, love and laughter and we did have some laughs. You encouraged me to provide the best service I could because I wanted you all to achieve the best you could. You enhanced my skills, especially when working with those who needed that extra support and understanding, I had to find ways to engage with you and build on our relationships and mutual respect. You helped me believe in each and every one of you because you all showed me a side that was caring, compassionate and sensitive, even if you didn't show this to others. You helped me believe in myself, you truly were a delight to work with. I am so proud of the young men and women you are growing into and am grateful that you allowed me to share with you, this time in your life. From the bottom of my heart I thank you.
I will never forget my time at St Malachy's Youth Centre, "I have carved you in the palm of my hand"
