Desycle: Work Experience for Homeless
De Regenboog & CIEE Study Center in Amsterdam, Netherlands
De Regenboog is a nonprofit organization in devoted to improving the lives of homeless and drug-addicted people in Amsterdam through socially and environmentally sustainable projects. De Regenboog provides food, shelter and clothing to people in need, as well as offering numerous programs aimed at improving hygiene and nutrition for better health, providing access to social contacts and social services, and developing work projects "which could lead to rehabilitation."
The specific initiative funded by the Ping Matching Grant is the Desycle Project, whose overarching goal is to “involve people in social and environmental themes and to encourage them in a friendly and inspiring way to take action and to become aware.” The project allows needy people to receive help while also making a positive impact on the community. Working closely with Latin Sisters Design Production, De Regenboog invites shelter visitors and local residents to work together to turn cast-off items and garbage into new products such as handbags, which will be sold under the product name "Street Diamonds." The proceeds will fund the continuation of the project.
As participants in the Desycle Project, CIEE students worked with staff and participants to create the products, and also helped with a range of other activities in the Desycle workshop. Through the Descyle Project, CIEE students had the opportunity to gain firsthand experience with a Dutch nonprofit organization, and to interact with Dutch people from a wide variety of backgrounds
Photo courtesy of Regenboog Groep