http://stockholmcrossroads.se
Seeking volunteers that speak Romanian!
Crossroads, an advice and support centre run by the Stockholm City Mission, is seeking volunteers that speak Romanian and that want to work for and with people that live in homelessness.
Migrants from other EU countries are the largest and fastest-growing group of homeless on the streets of Stockholm. They are coming to Sweden to find a job but far too many cannot afford the high living expenses in Stockholm and are forced to sleep outside, under bridges or on all-night buses. The most vulnerable and perhaps largest group of our visitors come from Romania and speaks only Romanian. We also see a greater number of homeless women on streets, specifically from Romania.
What is Crossroads?
Crossroads opened on 1 March 2011 and focuses on the needs of migrants from other EU countries that live in poverty and/or homelessness in Stockholm. Crossroads is located on Kungsholmen in Stockholm, close to Stadshagens underground station. The centre has had about 70 visitor per day since the opening, over 1 000 unique visitors from 78 different countries.
Crossroads provides food, warmth and rest in the daytime but also advice and support, skills-enhancing courses and various group activities. Crossroads also connects visitors to employers, health care providers, other organizations and both Swedish and foreign public authorities.
Who works at Crossroads?
Crossroads is run by a unit Director and five employed EU Advisors. But without the "voluntary co-workers" that also work at Crossroads, the centre would not function as well as it does today. Volunteers may work as interpreters and translators, course leader, psychotherapists or lawyers.
What does volunteer interpreters do?
We are seeking volunteers that speak Romanian and are able to interpret to/from the language (to Swedish or English). Volunteer interpreters work at Crossroads, interpreting between visitors and staff or other volunteers. Volunteers may also perform other practical tasks at the centre, such as keeping statistics, translating resumes, or greeting visitors at the door. At times, volunteer interpreters may also be asked to help with translations of the centre's website.
How can we help homeless women?
Crossroads has identified a number of homeless women that are in need of medical services. Volunteers (preferably female volunteers) are needed to follow these women to doctors' appointments, to support and to translate. All volunteers that participate in this work will get specific training and support by the Volunteer Co-ordinator at Crossroads.
How much time does it take?
As a volunteer interpreter you may choose between two different volunteer shifts Monday to Friday; either 8.00h-12.00h or 12.00h-15.30h. As a volunteer, you decide how much you want and are able to work each month. You may choose to work only one shift a month or several shift a week. All volunteer interpreters get a volunteer introduction that usually takes an hour and is scheduled with the volunteer co-ordinator, Katarzyna Zebrowska. After the introduction, you may start working right away.
Who do I contact to become a volunteer or to get more information?
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for Crossroads or want to get more information, contact:
Katarzyna ZebrowskaVolunteer Co-ordinator
frivillig.crossroads@stadsmissionen.se
