40 years of Volunteer Center Haarlem & surroundings!
The beginning
On December 18 it will be exactly forty years ago that the then 'Vrijwilligerscentrale Haarlem en Omstreken' was founded. Two coordinators and a dozen volunteers set to work enthusiastically and enthusiastically. We are now 40 years later, officially renamed Volunteer Center Haarlem & Surroundings with 6 professionals and 200 volunteers, settled on the Raaks. In 2018 we have the visitor center Haarlem Sámen next to our office! opened at Gedempte Oude Gracht 20. Anyone can go here with questions about volunteering.
Services
Our vision:
"Volunteering is always there for everyone and makes Haarlem and its surroundings a bit more beautiful".
Our mission:
"Connecting people and organizations by supporting and stimulating voluntary commitment".
The service provided by the VWC has been based on the above vision and mission since its inception. We focus on the following three pillars: mediation, promotion and advice. And to this day, these pillars are still implemented within the VWC. In the early years of the VWC, doing voluntary work was not self-evident for many people. Everything has been done to put the VWC and the possibilities within volunteer work on the map of Haarlem. The promotional film 'No job but work!' is an example of that. Thousands of volunteers are now active in Haarlem and the surrounding area and 300 organizations are affiliated with the VWC.
In addition, we have expanded our activities considerably and various initiatives have been developed within the VWC. We have the Volunteer Academy with courses for volunteers and organizations, the photo collective 'In The Picture' in which various photographers record volunteer work in Haarlem, Gilde SamenSpraak (for language coaching) and the Gilde Wandelingen. In this way we can mean something for different target groups in the city.
Do good for someone else
'Doing something good for someone else is of all times'. Every Haarlemmer can do something for society at some point in his or her life. Working as a volunteer at a museum, helping in care or running an errand for a neighbor. We are proud of our long history in the city and we see that our role is far from over. In fact, it is becoming increasingly important. On the one hand there is a great need from organizations for people who want to do voluntary work and on the other hand there are many people who would like to volunteer. Together we make Haarlem a little more beautiful.
Virtual city walk 'Doing good through the years'
To celebrate our anniversary with all Haarlem residents, we took a virtual city walk: 'Doing good in Haarlem through the years'. The walk takes you past five special historical locations in the center of Haarlem. We reflect on the past, look together at the present and at the good doers in our city.
Thanks to Gildegids Hans van Roode, the volunteers and Springtij film from Haarlem.
1. Gedempte Oude Gracht Volunteer Center Haarlem and surroundings
Interview with Emma van Dongen
On the occasion of our anniversary, Emma van Dongen, chairman of the Volunteer Center, was interviewed by Haerlems Bodem. Click here to read this interview.