Meetings for Parents on Safety, Street Culture, and More
How can we ensure that children and young people can grow up safely, healthily, and with opportunities? That question is at the heart of “Our Children, Our Neighborhood” in Oosterheem: a series of six meetings for parents and caregivers through which the municipality, together with the community police officer and other professionals, aims to increase parental involvement and contribute to a safe and livable neighborhood.
Young people are growing up in a world full of opportunities, but they may also face challenges such as peer pressure, street culture, and crime. Mayor Michel Bezuijen: “What’s going on in young people’s daily lives often has a direct impact on the atmosphere, safety, and quality of life in a neighborhood. That’s why we want to support and inform parents and caregivers and bring them together in conversation, so they can gain a better understanding of their children’s world and recognize warning signs sooner.”
More insight
During the meetings, parents gain a better understanding of issues affecting young people in Oosterheem. There is also an opportunity to share experiences, ask questions, and discuss concerns from the neighborhood. Topics covered include young people’s online behavior, street culture, peer pressure, crime, and recognizing signs of criminal exploitation.
Program
The "Our Children, Our Neighborhood" program consists of 6 meetings between October 2026 and May 2027:
- Friday, October 30, 2026 - Young People's Online Behavior
- Friday, December 11, 2026 - Street Culture
- Friday, January 22, 2027 - Interactive Crime Prevention Program for Parents
- Friday, March 5, 2027 - Recruiting Young People for Criminal Activities
- Friday, April 16, 2027 - Theme to be announced
- Friday, May 28, 2027 - Theme to be announced
All meetings will take place from 8:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at IKC Florence Nightingale, located at 90 Zanzibarplein , Zoetermeer. The meetings are free and open to all parents and guardians from Oosterheem. No registration is required.
Pilot
The meetings are being held as a pilot program in the Oosterheem neighborhood. The municipality will evaluate the meetings afterward to determine whether the pilot program will be expanded to other neighborhoods.
