Support socially disadvantaged people as a member of a great team
obDach? e. V.
- Homeless People
- Equal Opportunities
- Hands-on Activities
- Poverty Reduction
About the volunteering opportunity
Our night café in Berlin-Friedrichshain is an independent institution existing since 1996. Within the framework of the Berlin Cold Aid, we offer a provisional emergency overnight stay with meals every Thursday evening and early Friday morning. We maintain this offer not only during the "cold season" from November to March, but realize it throughout the year.
On average, about 60 guests come to eat. Many socially disadvantaged people help us cook, play cards or just talk. A maximum of 30 people can sleep in a large room. As a low-threshold facility, we can't offer anyone a way out, but we do our best to make time for questions and to provide information about further-reaching offers of help. For a good coexistence, we have a strict ban on alcohol & drugs.
More and more people use our facility not necessarily for overnight accommodation, but for a variety of reasons, for example, to get a hot meal or simply to be 'among people'.
Your Tasks
The helpers take over one of the three shifts (evening/night/early morning) in our emergency shelter on Thursdays or Fridays. Some come every week, others once a month. In addition to cooking together, during an evening shift they shop, clean up, hand out sleeping things, etc. The night shift is responsible for breakfast, new arrivals and washing up. The morning shift makes breakfast and then cleans up with the support of a cleaner. In addition to the above-mentioned points, the personal conversation and the fun is not neglected. Helpers' meetings are held on a regular basis.
What's needed
Basic knowledge of the German language. Otherwise, actually any person can help.
Advantageous, but not required, are knowledge of an Eastern European language.
Time and desire to help now and then also in the night from Thursday to Friday or on Friday morning.
Time required
The night café of obDach? e. V. is always open from Thursday evening to Friday morning. The opening hours are divided into three shifts, in which there are always several helpers on site. We are usually looking for support mainly for the night and early shifts. The evening shift starts at 5:45 pm on Thursday and ends at 10 pm. The night shift goes from 9:45 p.m. to 7 a.m. (with about three hours of sleep) and the morning shift goes from 6 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. maximum. Currently, we are only looking for people who are also willing to work a night or early shift from time to time. However, there is a great need for this position and we are happy to welcome new helpers!
Each person first does a trial shift with training.
Where?
obDach? e. V.
obDach? e. V. offers a provisional emergency overnight stay with meals as part of its night café. Since 1996, the non-profit and independent association has opened almost every Thursday evening for people with social disadvantages and then closes again early Friday morning.