A speed date at church. It’s possible on November 21 in the Brug-Es church in Dwingeloo. This time it is not about a flash appointment between two people, but about a meeting with social organisations.
The aim of the speed date is to bring interested parties into contact with social organizations from the entire municipality of Westerveld. So it’s an informative point of view. In turn, the invited institutions will have a great opportunity to jointly present themselves to the public in a low-threshold manner.
“We often know institutions by name, but we don’t know what they do,” says Stieneke Keus, on behalf of the preparatory committee, which consists of five people within the Brug-Es church. Stieneke is a leader. She is a member of the parish. Stieneke: „A group of people within our faith community organizes a themed evening four times a year. The topics are diverse. Sometimes it’s about the Bible, other times about science or sustainability. The next edition will focus on caring for our loved ones.”
Stieneke: „There are quite a few social organizations active in the municipality of Westerveld. You may have heard their names, but you often don’t know what they do exactly. I have that myself. For example, I sometimes bring the children’s clothes to the Clothing Bank. Nice initiative, but what exactly is behind the name of this organization?”
Colour
The speed date offers visitors information and contacts. At the entrance of the church they are given a card with a certain color and then they join others of the same color. Together with this group, the stands of the organizations are visited. A speed date lasts about five or six minutes. The organization explains what it does, why and for whom. Then the group continues. A speed date has been chosen because everyone can visit all organizations on the same evening. During the theme evening, everyone who is interested is welcome, religious or not.
It is not only interesting to get in touch with different organizations. According to the organizing committee, current affairs also play a role in the background of the evening. Think of the ever more expensive groceries or the sky-high energy bills. Stieneke: “People often don’t have the money to pay all the bills, but they are entitled to a contribution towards the costs or a surcharge. There are many addresses you can turn to for help. Unfortunately, there is a group of people who do not know what they are entitled to or where to go. Perhaps during the speed date they will come across an organization that can help them further. For example, when it comes to debt counseling.”
In preparation, the committee held a meeting with alderman Jacob Boonstra of the municipality of Westerveld. He provided the members with some useful tips. During speed dating, great connections can also be made between the participating organizations and potential volunteers.
Attendees
Participants in the speed date are the Food Bank, Second Chance Clothing Westerveld – Raad en Daad Werkelijk Westerveld, Refugee Work, Human Welfare Work, Neighborhood Families, Fairtrade Westerveld and Karin van Iterson, an expert in debt and poverty at the municipality of Westerveld. All deacons of churches in the municipality of Westerveld are also invited.
Stieneke concludes: “Based on our Christian faith, we as a church want to be there for others. The theme night fits in well with this.”
Monday, November 21, 2022: Speed dating with social organizations in Westerveld, Brug-Es kerk, Bruges 26, Dwingeloo, 7:45 pm – 10 pm. After the speed date there will be a closing drink and an information market.