Verbund sozialer Dienste gGmbH (VSD) is working in the field of child and youth welfare in the surrounding of Bad Essen near Osnabrück. In the current structure VSD exists since 2016. Owners of VSD Holding are each 50 percent Charly's Kinderparadies e.V. and Children's House Wittlager Land e.V.. Under the roof of the applicant VSD are so far the following gGmbHs: Kinderhaus Wittlager Land, Dialog, Dialog Rahden, Charly's Kinderparadies Bad Essen, Charly's Kinderparadies Sonnenwinkel, Charly's Kinderparadies Melle, Charly's Kinderparadies Osnabrück, Charly's Kinderparadies Bad Iburg, Charly's Kinderparadies Dissen kindergarten, Charly's children's paradise Dissen Krippe as well as VSD. The company history goes back to the - at that time - Kinderhaus Bad Essen e.V., which already exists since 1976. In the course of the refugee work VSD was "reactivated" at the end of 2015, the clearing centers for unaccompanied minor refugees were located here until the beginning of 2017. Currently on the VSD are running also outpatient and integration assistance as well as professional integration. The residential groups are supported by Dialog gGmbH. In addition to outpatient education as well as educational and pedagogical childcare services Kinderhaus Wittlager Land gGmbH since 2007 maintains the family retirement “Haus Sonnenwinkel” in Bad Essen. Due to Corona, the family retirement probably have to be closed finally by 31st of december 2020. In addition, Kinderhaus Wittlagerland e.V., as a recognized educational institution, is planning, coordinating and conducting educational events. Using the family retirement "Haus Sonnenwinkel" makes it possible to undertake educational activities in an attractive learning environment. - - - Der Antragsteller Verbund sozialer Dienste gGmbH (VSD) ist innerhalb eines Unternehmensverbundes als Träger der Kinder- und Jugendhilfe im Raum Bad Essen tätig. Den Verbund sozialer Dienste (VSD) in der derzeitigen Struktur gibt es seit 2016. Anteilseigner der VSD Holding sind zu jeweils 50 Prozent Charly’s Kinderparadies e.V. und der Antragsteller Kinderhaus Wittlager Land e.V. Unter dem Dach des VSD sind bisher folgende gGmbHs zusammengefasst: Kinderhaus Wittlager Land, Dialog, Dialog Rahden, Charly’s Kinderparadies Bad Essen, Charly’s Kinderparadies Sonnenwinkel, Charly’s Kinderparadies Melle, Charly’s Kinderparadies Osnabrück, Charly’s Kinderparadies Bad Iburg, Charly’s Kinderparadies Dissen Kindergarten, Charly’s Kinderparadies Dissen Krippe sowie VSD. Die Firmenhistorie geht auf den – damals noch – Kinderhaus Bad Essen e.V. zurück. Diesen Verein gibt es bereits seit 1976. Im Zuge der Flüchtlingsarbeit ist die bereits bestehende VSD gGmbH Ende 2015 „reaktiviert“ worden, die Clearingstellen für unbegleitete minderjährige Ausländer (umA) waren bis Anfang 2017 hierunter angesiedelt. Aktuell laufen über den VSD u.a. die Bereiche ambulante Assistenz, Eingliederungshilfe und berufliche Integration. Die verschiedenen Wohngruppen werden von der Dialog für familienorientierte Sozialarbeit gGmbH unterhalten. Neben ambulanten Angeboten zur Erziehung sowie schulischen und pädagogischen Betreuungsangeboten für Kinder betreibt die Kinderhaus Wittlager Land gGmbH seit dem Jahr 2007 die Familienferienstätte „Haus Sonnenwinkel“ in Bad Essen. Corona-bedingt muss der Betrieb der Familienferienstätte voraussichtlich zum 31.12.2020 eingestellt werden. Darüber hinaus verfolgt Kinderhaus Wittlager Land e.V. als anerkannter Bildungsträger das Ziel, Bildungsveranstaltungen zu planen, zu koordinieren und durchzuführen. Durch die Nutzung von Räumen der Familienferienstätte Haus Sonnenwinkel wird die Durchführung von Bildungsmaßnahmen in einem attraktiven Lernumfeld ermöglicht.

Verbund Sozialer Dienste (VSD) operates in the field of child and youth welfare in the area surrounding Bad Essen, near Osnabrück. Its subsidiary, Dialog gGmbH, manages decentralized in-patient residential groups within the German child and youth service system. These groups are housed in attractive buildings where children live in small, family-like settings. With nearly 50 years of experience, Dialog has developed expertise in providing therapy for attachment disorders and addressing the effects of trauma. One area of specialisation within Dialog is work pedagogy. By participating in the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) program, we aim to offer children and young people valuable insights into different cultures. Volunteers contribute by sharing aspects of their own cultural backgrounds, fostering openness and understanding of other cultures and ethnic groups. This cultural exchange adds variety to daily life and promotes tolerance within the community.

We prioritize the well-being of our volunteers and offer comprehensive support and guidance before, during, and after the project. Ensuring you feel comfortable and valued is important to us, which is why we have established a well-structured support system. We respect individual dietary preferences, carefully consider food intolerances, and take proactive steps to meet your needs. Meals are provided at the workplace, and the full meal allowance will be paid in full. Transportation costs will be reimbursed upon submission of proof of purchase.

To further enhance the experience, we also offer opportunities for personal and professional development, including workshops, skill-building sessions, and guidance on navigating the local culture and administrative systems. Volunteers can participate in networking events to connect with local organizations and other volunteers, fostering collaboration and exchange. Additionally, we provide ongoing feedback and support to ensure that volunteers not only succeed in their roles but also gain valuable insights and skills for their future endeavors.

The Participant profile: The participants should be socially engaged and open to new experiences, with a genuine willingness to work with disadvantaged children. Prior knowledge in social work or psychology is an advantage. Ideally, volunteers should be able to remain composed in crisis situations. It is expected that volunteers approach training and learning opportunities provided by the hosting organization to handle crises with an open mindset, while maintaining a strong commitment to staying connected with the children. Additionally, volunteers are encouraged to share aspects of their own culture with the children, fostering cultural exchange. Tasks: The volunteers support the work of the pedagogues in the daily routine and accompany the children during the day. During mornings the volunteers work (under supervision) with children who are either school refuseniks or suspended from school due to individual reasons. The volunteers would offer meaningful activities for those children like doing handicrafts, showing them how to use tools, playing games, doing homework, etc. During afternoons the volunteers work with individual or small groups of children (under supervision) offering meaningful free time activities.
Deadline:

The project is implemented under the European Solidarity Corps Programme, financed by the European Commission.
The participating organisations have to be mindful of these needs as they are responsible for providing a respectful and trusting hosting environment. At the same time, the organisations participating in the initiative devote a great deal of time, energy and resources to set up a high-quality activity; they should therefore expect that European Solidarity Corps participants show a similar level of respect for the local communities and the people that are directly concerned by the activities (https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/mission_en).
What do we provide ?

• Training before and after the project
• Health insurance during your project
• round-trip travel reimbursement
• accommodation and food
• pocket money
• language course
• Return Week-end
• Youth Pass and SVI international Volunteer passport

Before applying for this volunteering project, you need to enroll yourself at European Solidarity Corps Platform (https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en) and specify your European Solidarity Corps Participant Number (PRN).
This organisation holds a European Solidarity Corps Quality Label.
Contact the ESC coordinator at +32 2 888 67 13 to get more informations.