United Way of the Netherlands was founded on December 2018 with the broad aim to help families achieve their potential through successful integration of vulnerable refugees, support for isolated seniors and financial stability for adolescent youth.
HOW WE WORK
United Way the Netherlands currently operates three projects:
- Empowering Women Refugees - Helping vulnerable female refugees to integrate into Dutch society and the Dutch labor market.
- Get a Grip - Helping young people with long term financial problems manage their financial affairs via mentoring and social media outreach.
- Reaching the Unreachable – Offering refugees and isolated elderly online support to maintain their mental health during a global pandemic.
VISION
United Way the Netherlands aims to create a lasting, positive change in Dutch communities.
MISSION
Our mission is to help individuals and families achieve their potential through successful integration of vulnerable refugees and financial stability for adolescent youth.
United Way the Netherlands brings together organizations, families and resources required to create such opportunities of better lives for all.
FOCUS AREAS
Prior to the establishment of United Way of the Netherlands, a team of volunteers inspired by the UW mission statements piloted its first project: The placement of refugees with Cordaan, one of the leading health providers in the Netherlands. In close collaboration with the Municipality of Amsterdam, volunteers organized intensive participatory assessment sessions with refugees having professional experience in the health sector in their respective country of origin. Based on this alternative approach bringing all partners together, more than ten long-term unemployed refugees found employment combining this with language classes and on-the-job training plus gaining two days a week work experience.
This innovative approach inspired the newly established United Way of the Netherlands to focus, in close cooperation with the Amsterdam Municipality and a Dutch Partner, Maatschappelijke Alliantie its attention on refugee women, adolescent youth and long-term unemployed refugees. In addition, given its extensive network, United Way of the Netherlands attempts to enhance the placement of these target groups in the construction, health, culture and hospitality sector.
Due to the outbreak of the corona-virus, our focus has also shifted to include isolated elderly, who are severely hit by the crisis. We will focus on offering online support and improving their mental health during an unprecedented time in their lives.