Serve the City

Our church is hosting a great mission week here in Brussels from 28 June through 5 July. This is the fourth year it has taken place and it has really made an impact on Brussels and all the people that have helped with it. There are 50 volunteers coming over from the States and we are hoping for another 150 volunteers from Brussels (both expats and locals) to help. You can sign up to volunteer for just one day, a few days, or for the whole week.

As a volunteer you can choose where you would like to help -- in a soup kitchen, a basketball camp, painting and handiwork on buildings, playing with kids, and so many other opportunities. I have done a few different Serve the City projects and they have all stayed with me in some way or another.

This town is our temporary home, but it is so much more than just the Grand Place and Mannekin Pis. Serve the City lets you really experience and know parts of Brussels that are not on the tourist trail, but are "must-sees" to say that you really know the town. It also helps you to remember just how fortunate we are and that we could all just as easily be in these people's situations -- we just happened to be lucky enough to move here from a country where we are called expats rather than immigrants.

For those of you in Belgium, check out the website for project details and information -- www.servethecity.be The press release:

SERVE THE CITY 2008
Serve the City mobilizes volunteers to show kindness in practical ways to people in need. Serve the City partners with homeless shelters, refugee centres, orphanages, senior homes and other associations and invites volunteers to offer practical help and support.Serve the City projects are often simple - sports, music, arts and crafts, teaching English, painting, serving food, and cutting hair. We are matchmakers - the connection between the good intentions of people who could serve and a meaningful opportunity to do so.

Serve the City began in Brussels in 2005, and will take place in 20 cities around the world in 2008. Serve the City has regular and ongoing activities, but the highlight of the year is always the summer project in the first week of July. In 2007, 300 volunteers served in 30 different projects. Our goal this year is 500 volunteers and 50 projects. The dates of this year’s project are 28 June to 5 July. Volunteers can participate as individuals or as a group, on a one-time basis or as a weekly commitment. Serve the City matches projects and volunteers according to interests, skills and availability of the City

Brussels 2008 Summer Project Objectives
 5 days
 50 projects
 500 volunteers
 5.000 people at the Festival
 50.000 Euros raise

PROJECT EXAMPLES

Le Refuge
In Braine l’Alleud, just south of Brussels, an orphanage called Le Refuge is home to 30 children between the ages of 3 and 18 who have been physically, sexually, or emotionally abused by their parents. Serve the City visits Le Refuge every two months and, in addition to playing with and caring for children, has built a playground, helped with painting and gardening, and now celebrates birthdays.

Foyer Selah
Foyer Selah is home to more than 90 refugees from all over the world who have applied in Belgium for asylum while their case is being considered; all they have are accommodations and a few euros a week. They have many needs, not the least of which is hope. Serve the City visits Foyer Selah every month to play football, cut hair, teach English, and do crafts. Now we are trying to set up an Internet Café as well as helping with career counselling and skills training.

Almagic
While trying to help disabled people make progress in their areas of limitation, a physical therapist discovered that no special bikes were available anywhere in Brussels. So he started purchasing them himself and began an association that invites people with disabilities and their families to the park to get some exercise. Serve the City has helped Almagic help people with disabilities to have some fun.

Missionaries of Charity
Every day nuns in Mother Theresa’s order prepare a meal and serve hungry homeless people. Serve the City started simply helping with the meal, but discovered other needs along the way. We still peel potatoes and wash dishes, but now we help with heavy and difficult tasks as well as re-painting their facilities.

Le Petit Chateau
The largest refugee centre in Belgium, Le Petit Chateau is home to as many as 800 refugees. Serving possibilities are endless. Serve the City teams have played with children, taught dance, offered photography for families, cut hair, and led sports camps. Serve the City volunteers go to Le Petit Chateau every week.

How do I get involved?
Register on our website www.servethecity.be or make a donation!

How do I make a donation?
Fortis 001-2326591-25
Account name: STC vzw
Account address: rue de la Rive 6, 1200 Brussels Bic Fortis GEBABEBB
Iban Paper Be 62 0015 2682 4961 iban electronic Be6200152682496

Contact:
Carlton Deal
info@servethecity.be
Tel: +32473.81.29.71
cdeal@christianassociates.org
Serve the City asbl
Ave Marché aux Poulets 33
1000 Brussels Belgium