Lord Mayor launches RDA Strategic Plan
A packed hall was in attendance for the launch of the Rialto Development Association (RDA) Strategic Plan lunchtime Thursday 23rd March in St. Andrew’s Community Centre. Guests were greeted with refreshments and the opportunity to mix and mingle while Mary McCann played trad music in the background. Mary Kinane, Centre Manager, then welcomed everyone and gave special thanks to the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Caroline Conroy.
Jonathan Myers, Chairperson of the RDA, gave a brief introduction to the RDA and the key projects based in St. Andrew’s. He thanked Community Foundation of Ireland and Dublin City Council for the funding that made the development of the five-year strategic plan possible. This, he noted, was the first time this process was ever undertaken for the whole organization. Jonathan then read out the mission statement from the plan: “To develop St. Andrew’s Community Centre as the community hub of choice and provide quality services and facilities to residents and community groups to flourish and build a sense of community through creativity, collaboration and integration”. He elaborated on the key role of creativity and concluded by thanking all the staff of the RDA particularly the project managers who played an instrumental role in helping to shape the development of the six strategic objectives.
The Lord Mayor, Caroline Conroy, officially launched the plan and in doing so, she referenced the six strategic objectives and the importance of taking a moment to reflect on the vision “A thriving Rialto community in which the people and their needs are at the centre of its development and decision making”. This, she said, “is the benchmark of any healthy democratic society”. She noted the important status of the RDA to community development overall in Dublin 8.
“As Rialto’s population continues to grow and diversify, this Strategic Plan serves as your guideline and reminder of the role you all play in ensuring St. Andrew’s is a welcoming, safe and open space for all persons in Rialto and the wider community. For this I would like to congratulate you” she said.
The launch of the plan was followed by a screening of “The Blocks”, a short-animated film produced by Rialto Community Drug Team and presented by Alan Cleere, the manager. Dannielle McKenna, Rialto Youth Project Manager, gave an informative input on the “What Does He Need” project, which is a long-term project exploring the state of masculinity.
A copy of the plan is available under the publications section of St. Andrew’s Community Centre website.
