Jennifer Diepens from Eindhoven is 24 years old and was homeless. Now she has her own taxi company: Taxi Jenny. This carnival is almost fully booked. Life laughs at her again after a time when it was survival. “I will do everything so that that can never happen again.” Auxiliary project Het Bouwdepot helped her out of the valley.
Jennifer lived on the street for two years. “That was due to the home situation with strict parents and by people around me. I had wrong friends. That is why I ended up on the street. “
Among other things, she lived in the crisis shelter in Eindhoven. Jennifer had no work and therefore no income. She built up debts. “I was homeless, but nobody believed that. Everyone thought I was just a tourist in my own city. With ‘homeless’ people think of someone with broken clothing and bag. I just had a suitcase and normal, neat clothing. I didn’t really look homeless, but it was. “
The ‘Het Bouwdepot’ aid project helped her with an income of 1050 euros every month for a year. She was able to pay off her debts. “And I was able to get my driver’s license. Later I could also open my taxi company. That is really great. I never thought I would get this chance. If this hadn’t happened, I would have been in the crisis shelter. Then I would hope that a better day would come tomorrow. ”
“I have experienced a lot.”
In the meantime she has a roof over her head and she drives around in her own taxi that can be booked day and night. She has a lot of conversations in the taxi. “Sometimes it’s very personal. Then I feel like a psychologist in the car.”
On the street she experienced everything and those experiences come in handy. “When people drink alcohol, a certain type of behavior comes. What people have experienced then comes out. ‘Staying calm’ is a very strong point for me, even though someone scolds me. It all happens in the taxi. Not in, just stay neutral. ”
“At the weekend I often have sat people in the car. Sometimes they sing karaoke. ‘Jenny from the Block“I’ve heard one hundred thousand times. You also experience aggressive people. It is not always pleasant. You have to be good at estimating people. Then that will be fine. ”
Jennifer drives by appointment and can also be booked in the evening and at night. Then as a woman she is a striking appearance. For example, she does not turn her hand to go out at three in the morning for a customer who has to go to Schiphol, for example. “To my knowledge, not many women do that. Customers ask if you can bring them home safely because I am a woman behind the wheel. I always bring them home safely. That will be fine. ”
“I’m glad that is behind me.”
And she does that during the carnival. Then it is a lot of tackling. She has almost no place anymore. “I have one ride one after the other. These are the very good times.”
“I have experienced a lot. Everyone of course has their own backpack. I’m glad that is behind me. That I am now in my taxi every day and other people can help. “
In Eindhoven, 75 young people such as Jennifer have already been helped or they are still in the support process. They have taken steps towards a job, a home or a diploma. It cost the municipality of Eindhoven one million euros so far. Otherwise, these vulnerable young people might disappear from sight of the municipality, so is the reasoning. “Then the chance of higher care and support costs is greater, such as social relief or social assistance benefits,” is the response of a spokesperson.
Together with other municipalities in The Hague, Eindhoven is committed to continuing to offer the project.
The building depot
The building depot has been around since 2021. It is intended for vulnerable young people aged sixteen to twenty -three years old who are homeless or are in danger of becoming. They also often have major financial problems. Jennifer participated in the process in 2021 – 2022 and at that time received 1050 euros per month for a year. In the meantime, that amount has been increased to 1345 euros per month. In addition, young people receive guidance to get their lives in order. Ten municipalities in the Netherlands participate. Every year, two hundred young people receive help in this way.
