A total of 16 young people who completed their Voluntary Social Year (FSJ) or the Federal Volunteer Service (BFD) in one of the youth centers of the regional association were honored with a thank-you celebration at Saarbrücken Castle. During the event, each individual was recognized with personal words about their strengths and future career path, as well as a certificate. Regional Association Director Peter Gillo: “As orientation before studies or training, the voluntary service is optimally suited. Young people gain a good insight into the tasks in a social professional field through this special form of voluntary engagement. I am pleased that many of them want to pursue this career path after the FSJ.”
The volunteers work hand in hand with the full-time staff in the youth centers. They can contribute their individual talents and skills, thereby actively shaping the daily life of the children and young people on site. During integrated seminar days, the volunteers are prepared for their tasks and everyday life in a youth center. This year, topics such as experiential education, gender and diversity, and dealing with offensive remarks were key focuses. Together with the Anne Frank House Amsterdam, several volunteers also engaged intensively with memorial sites in Saarbrücken. This collaboration resulted in an audio walk about the era of National Socialism, which will soon be made available to school classes as well.
Anyone interested in completing a voluntary social year (FSJ) or the Federal Volunteer Service (BFD) at one of the Regional Association's youth centers can apply immediately. The earliest possible start date is October 1st. Six youth centers are located in the state capital Saarbrücken. Seven more are situated in the towns and municipalities of Friedrichsthal, Heusweiler, Püttlingen, Quierschied, Riegelsberg, Sulzbach, and Völklingen. This offers everyone the opportunity to find a place near their place of residence. Both in the BFD and FSJ, young people receive 29 days of leave and 370 euros pocket money per month. Twenty-five integrated seminar days are dedicated to further education. The minimum duration of the service is six months, the maximum duration is 12 months. An extension up to 18 months is possible.
Contact: Youth Welfare Office of the Saarbrücken Regional Association, Daniela Mücke, Tel.: 0681 506-5126, E-Mail: daniela.muecke@rvsbr.de. Further information and experiences of the volunteers can also be found on the youth blog at jugendblog.regionalverband-saarbruecken.de
