Who we serve
The homeless
An estimated 6000 people are currently homeless in Brussels. They are either in temporary shelters for the homeless, in squats or sleeping rough on the city’s streets. With no shelter, they also have no access to food, electricity or running water.
Our projects not only help to provide the homeless with clothing and blankets, hot drinks and nourishing meals. We also provide a smile, conversation and a listening ear.
Asylum seekers & refugees
Every year, thousands of refugees come to Belgium to seek international protection. Among them men, women, families and, increasingly, unaccompanied minors. The asylum procedure can be lengthy, and during this period many experience stress, loneliness, integration issues and psychological trauma. Others fall between the gaps in the system, and also experience hunger and homelessness.
Serve the City seek to alleviate the daily pressures of refugees and asylum seekers in Brussels (including trans-migrants) through social exchange projects with volunteers, games, language learning and food outreach.
The elderly
For many, growing old in urban areas means diminished social contact with friends and family. In Brussels, hundreds of over 65’s find themselves in care homes far from their loved ones. Others, who are more independent, live alone, and the day can pass by with no one to talk to.
Serve the City projects aim to bring joy to Brussels‘elderly, not only through games, music and social contact but also by lending a helping hand to the centres that care for them on a daily basis.
Persons with disabilities
People with physical and intellectual disabilities are often excluded from the full experience of cities. They face barriers in terms of social participation and mobility, yet their basic needs are just the same as other citizens’ – to stay well, to be active, to have meaningful relationships with others, and to be part of the community.
Serve the City supports organisations working with persons with intellectual disabilities through companionship and social support activities. This includes social exchange with volunteers, playing games, assisting residents with group activities and accompanying individuals on walks/ outdoors.
Victims of abuse
Their needs are urgent, but victims of abuse are often hidden. The vast majority of victims of abuse in Brussels are women who are in need of practical solutions to help them break away from the cycle of violence and trauma that they are experiencing on a daily basis. Various organisations in Brussels specialise in key areas to provide psychosocial care for victims, accommodating them in safe places.
Serve the City works closely with professional organisations and centers that provide refuge for women and children who have been trafficked or abused, and who are in need of urgent shelter and care. Actions are aimed at response, information and awareness raising, building victims’ skills set, and general moral support.
Children in need
Various organizations and institutions in Brussels work hard to improve the lives of children in need to offer them a better future. There are children from broken homes, under-privileged families, or children who are left all alone and live in centers. Brussels is also seeing a rise in the number of unaccompanied minors from migrant backgrounds who are on the streets and therefore extremely vulnerable.
Serve the City works alongside several institutions in Brussels to help children in need with homework, language, social integration and play, to give them a brighter home.
Persons with disabilities
People with physical and intellectual disabilities are often excluded from the full experience of cities. They face barriers in terms of social participation and mobility, yet their basic needs are just the same as other citizens’ – to stay well, to be active, to have meaningful relationships with others, and to be part of the community.
Serve the City supports organisations working with persons with intellectual disabilities through companionship and social support activities. This includes social exchange with volunteers, playing games, assisting residents with group activities and accompanying individuals on walks/ outdoors.
Victims of abuse
Their needs are urgent, but victims of abuse are often hidden. The vast majority of victims of abuse in Brussels are women who are in need of practical solutions to help them break away from the cycle of violence and trauma that they are experiencing on a daily basis. Various organisations in Brussels specialise in key areas to provide psychosocial care for victims, accommodating them in safe places.
Serve the City works closely with professional organisations and centers that provide refuge for women and children who have been trafficked or abused, and who are in need of urgent shelter and care. Actions are aimed at response, information and awareness raising, building victims’ skills set, and general moral support.
Children in need
Various organizations and institutions in Brussels work hard to improve the lives of children in need to offer them a better future. There are children from broken homes, under-privileged families, or children who are left all alone and live in centers. Brussels is also seeing a rise in the number of unaccompanied minors from migrant backgrounds who are on the streets and therefore extremely vulnerable.
Serve the City works alongside several institutions in Brussels to help children in need with homework, language, social integration and play, to give them a brighter home.
…And the environment
