Certificates for newcomers in the AZC

On Tuesday, June 4, a special meeting took place at the AZC in Amsterdam Nieuw-West. Certificates for their volunteer work were awarded to 16 newcomers. The atmosphere was positive, and these newcomers were happy with their certificates and the appreciation they felt. It is hoped that the other newcomers present will also be motivated to start volunteering. Because volunteering helps to get acquainted with Dutch culture, practice the language in advance, and build a network.

The volunteer coordinators from BuurtBuik and De Natuurkamer were present at this award ceremony, as well as the project leader of the Meedoen project from the Vereniging NOV. The Meedoen project is a program based on the ‘Aan de Slag’ methodology, developed by the volunteer centers in Nijmegen and Utrecht. In 2016, COA, Pharos, and NOV started a collaboration to expand the concept to more municipalities. Since then, Azc residents have participated in volunteering and activities more than 50,000 times with over a thousand local and national organizations.

Since 2017, the Vrijwilligerscentrale Amsterdam has been actively involved in involving Statushouders and newcomers as volunteers in the city. Around 1,000 people have actually started volunteering as a result. In addition to mediation, various other things have been done within the framework of the statusholder projects. Information sessions have been provided to the target group, volunteer organizations have been advised and trained, we have connected Amsterdammers with organizations that support newcomers in various ways, and are active in the Language network.

Are you or do you know newcomers who want to further develop themselves through volunteering? Contact us!
Or do you like to contribute to this group by helping with language, guiding, or undertaking activities together? Check out thepossibilities on our job boardof makean appointmentwith one of our mediators to discuss the possibilities.