Sandy Row has had it hard over the past 40 years. Violence and paramilitarism have taken their toll. But while some Belfast communities, especially nationalist ones, are experiencing a cultural and commercial revival, this loyalist enclave is facing further decline.
Forty years ago it was home to 15,000 people. Today it has just 700 houses or flats, and about 2,000 people. Where there were once 108 shops and businesses, there are now about 40.
Central to that community is the Charter Centre, a modern building that houses a range of children's schemes and which is facing imminent closure for want of just £59,000 of public support.
"This community is struggling and fighting to stay a community," says William "Barley" Robinson, the project manager.
"The loss of this would be devastating, he warns.
Programmes on offer at the centre include child development, after-school care, youth schemes, summer activities and cross-community and cross-Border exchanges. Hundreds of locals - "staunch" loyalists - including children will head to Sligo for St Patrick's Day.
Sandy Row is just a short stroll from Queen's University, but none of the children playing in the noisy centre will be going there if past performance is maintained.
No one in this locality passed the 11-plus test last year and qualified for a grammar school education.
In the face of such deprivation, the Charter Centre tries to devise activities that will give the children alternative opportunities. But now funds appear to be drying up.
"We've no idea why," says Mr Robinson. "The department [ of education], to be fair to them, have said they haven't made any decisions yet. But next week I have to put myself and three staff on notice."
The local representatives have "been brilliant", he admits. Alliance councillor Tom Ekin comes in for particular local acclaim.
"The local community groups have all pulled together, we have the support of the politicians but we just can't get money - can't get a definite answer.
"We need £59,000. That will fund full-time members of staff, three part-time staff and meet some running costs and programme costs."
How long before the doors close? "Basically four weeks."
For resident Dawn McAllister and daughter Britney this is the heart of the Sandy Row.
"It's great, the staff all grew up on Sandy Row, everybody knows everybody else and our kids are well looked after. "Put it this way - if I won the lotto I would fund it myself," she says.
Garnet Busby, a project manager for Belfast South Community Resources can see no other route than to seek publicity and to highlight their case that way. "We have tried everything else, we have tried private funders, appealed to Mary McAleese, she has helped before.
"But all that help is in the past, it will come to nothing unless we get mainstream funding."
Closure would have a wider impact, he adds. Single mothers leave their kids in care at the centre while they go for employment training.
If the centre goes, their training is also threatened and children will end up running the streets again.
"Sandy Row is an area which just cannot afford that."
Pastor Tom Burns believes unionists and Caitríona Ruane, the Sinn Féin Minister for Education are embroiled in rows over the future of the 11-plus to the detriment of local communities such as his.
"I'm not saying that's not serious, but in this city with all its new shopping centres just a stone's throw away the poor are getting poorer.
"If this generation does not get looked after, I'll tell you what is going to happen. The younger generation's suicide rate is going to get higher and higher. Twenty-five people between the ages of 18 and 25 have died by suicide in the last six months. What are we going to do for this generation?"
The Department of Education defends itself. "The Minister announced the overall education budget on February 12th. Work is ongoing within the Department of Education to finalise budgets for specific programmes and initiatives.
"The department is aware of the situation . . . and it is currently being considered as part of this process of determining allocations."