Work with Socially Disadvantaged People

In this project area, ASF cooperates with a wide spectrum of partner organisations. The volunteers work with, for example, refugees, drug addicts, the homeless, and in neighbourhood initiatives, shelters for battered women, or seamens' missions.

The day to day work of individual volunteers varies. Often work involves practical jobs such as serving food or accompanying clients to the local government authorities. At the same time volunteers offer activities such as going to the cinema or on field trips, talking with the clients, drinking tea with them, or simply spending quality time with them. In some projects the volunteers help children and young people with their homework.

To work with the socially disadvantaged, volunteers need to be sensitive, empathetic and show understanding for people with different backgrounds. At the same time they must be able to set boundaries and to assert themselves.