Problems for aid organization Budget Support Assen. The foundation does not have enough money to invest in their property. That building has been written off, is full of asbestos and is too small. If a solution is not found quickly, the foundation will cease to exist at the end of this year.
The number of members has grown enormously in recent years. Four years ago, for example, 78 people were helped, now there are 800, the organization says in a press release.
“Besides the time and energy this costs, the work in our current building is no longer bearable,” says coordinator Tirza van Brakel. “Not in terms of storage, not in terms of sorting space and not in terms of acceptable conditions for clients and volunteers.”
The foundation uses a building belonging to the municipality of Assen. “That building is full of asbestos and has not been written off without reason. It is also no longer acceptable in terms of fire safety for our clients and volunteers. The surface area is far too small for the increased number of people. Nevertheless, we have to pay municipal taxes and have We were given the assignment to make this building more sustainable, which is unfeasible for us.”
The foundation has been in existence since 2003 and receives money through donations from individuals, entrepreneurs and church institutions. “Although the municipality has the assignment to support volunteer initiatives, we as a foundation have not noticed anything,” says chairman Anneke Bakker.
“We are an indispensable part of Assen society and the most successful example of citizen initiatives in Assen. Unfortunately, this is not valued by policymakers,” says the chairman.