Last Thursday 15 May 2025 was a big day for us: the very first Serve the City Partner Event took place at our beautiful location on Nieuwe Herengracht. From half past one, the first guests trickled in. Companies, social organisations and schools came together for an afternoon of inspiration and connection.
Brigitte Vonck shared her passion for Serve the City and how it once started in Amsterdam. What started for her as a volunteer in Rotterdam has grown into a serious foundation in Amsterdam that activates many people to become volunteers, supporting vulnerable Amsterdammers and social organisations.
‘When you volunteer, something happens in your heart,’ Brigitte said.
Sophie van Hoytema, too, has now been infected with the volunteer virus. Because of Brigitte, she was once invited to paint at a shelter, was part of a promotional video, participated in the Reversed Advent Calendar and now enthusiastically promotes all actions to her friends and family. During the event, she was our host, interviewing the guests and making sure everybody felt connected. With fun questions and some laughter, we managed to share our story with the 50-plus attendees.
Anette told us about the origins of Ympact020, after which Erik-Jan Koeman of the Fourth Gymnasium spoke. We listened to two impressive stories of young people who have volunteered through us.
After Anna Rysebry of Adyen told us about her cooperation with at Work, it was the last guest’s turn. Merijn Kerkhof from the Natuurkamer told us that he receives volunteers from all three Serve the City labels. During the holiday weeks, volunteers who sign up through the calendar help out, companies take on big jobs and young people can join them on a weekly basis. After the interviews, it was time for the workshops.
During these workshops, companies were able to talk to each other, social organisations shared experiences with each other and three secondary schools were enthused to also get involved with our programmes.
At the closing, bubbles followed, because there was news: Ympact020 is now called Serve the City Young. This way, we will from now on present ourselves with one clear name and hope to make even more impact in the future.
At the end of the afternoon it was time for drinks in the sun. Young people from the Metis Montessori took fantastic care of us with homemade snacks and professionally poured the drinks.
We look back on a wonderful day full of great conversations and valuable encounters. We do not yet know when the next partner event will take place but we are still enjoying this edition. The photos speak for themselves!
Want to know more about Serve the City, the different labels and what we do? Feel free to contact us via the contact form or give us a call.
