Jen Cummins lives in the Liberties with her husband and four children, who are aged between 7 and 14. Her parents were born and raised in this area, so her connection to the community goes back 75 years.

She works in the area of educational disadvantage with Ballymun Anseo School Completion Programme as the Co-ordinator. It provides programmes in school, after school and during the holiday period for children and young people at risk of early school leaving.

She is a Doctoral Student in DCU looking at the effects that childhood trauma has on early school leaving. She is delighted to be working with Dr Paul Downes and Dr Jones Irwin on this piece of work which will look at young people’s experiences. Jen believes that everyone has the right to equality of access and equality of opportunity at all levels of education, from pre-school to third level.

Jen supports the residents of the South West Inner City by campaigning to have more green space for sporting, recreational and environmentally sustainable living and to have long term social and affordable housing in the area in order to continue building a thriving and cohesive community.