b'AROUND THE WOR T HA N K YOULDAUSTRALIANEWS The Board of Directors of The Australian Ireland Fund is pleased to announce that the following outstanding organizations are being supported thanks to the generosity of our supporters.SOLASSolas Projects vision is to see an Ireland where all children and young people truly know their self-worth and can take full advantage of their potential. They provide a range of innovative inter-ventions that equip and empower young people to live life to the fullest and participate in society.Through programs of learning, mentoring, personal and social development, Solas supports young people to create a brighter future for themselves and their communities. Solas works to address the imbalances that contribute to certain children and young people in Ireland growing up at asocio-economic and/or educational disadvantage. They have been extremely successful and grown rapidly from servicing 11 girls in an afterschool club in Basin Lane flats in 2007, to 2015 where they are running 7 programs serving over 500 young people in the community on an annual basis. The Australian Ireland Fund is delighted to extend support in 2015 to enable Solas to reach an additional 250+ children.SUAS EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENTIn Ireland, children who dont learn to read, write and communicate effectively at primary school are more likely to leave school early. They are more likely to have emotional and physical problems. They are then more likely to be unemployed or be in low-skilled jobs, poverty or even prison. Suas wants every child to have the education, future and opportunities that so many people take for granted. The Suas Literacy Program works with those who are furthest behind, in the most disadvantaged schools (Deis schools). Children are paired one-on-one with Suas reading mentors in an environment where its okay to make mistakes. Suas connects them with education and with positive role-models. The Suas approach makes a big difference in literacy and confidence. Continuing support from The Australian Ireland Fund in 2015 will provide 4 months mentorship for 600 children in 40 schools.SOARSoar is a 100% independently funded collective movement with no government support which be-lieves that there is greatness within all young people. Inspired by Jim Stynes and the Reach Foun-dation of Melbourne, Soar creates and delivers early intervention, preventative, wellbeing programs inside and outside of the school system for young people aged 12 to 18 years from all backgrounds throughout Ireland. Their workshops empower young people to thrive, believe in themselves and fulfil their true potential.The Australian Ireland Fund is delighted to assist Soar to kick off the devel-opment of a girls program. Designed specifically for girls aged 15-17, the program will be delivered in and outside the school system encouraging young women to explore and question gender ideas and limitations, expectations, and the influence of mass media.A space will be created in which girls can develop the tools to improve self-confidence and emotional well-being through peer-to-peer discussion and support. The aim is to inspire the next generation of young Irish girls to fulfil their true potential. The Australian Ireland Fund and our supporters will change many lives through Soar. connect2015 | 104'