The Pearl of the Neighborhood, Rena Jansen

Rena has been volunteering with great dedication since October 1992. She has now been doing this for more than three decades, and volunteering has become an integral and important part of her life. On average, she spends about ten hours a week on a variety of activities centered on connecting with people, providing support, and caring for others. What has driven her all these years is the feeling of being able to make a difference for others and contribute to a place where people feel welcome and valued.

Over the years, Rena has been active at various community gathering places in the neighborhood. For many years, she was involved with the De Vlieger community center, where she supported visitors, helped behind the bar, and created a warm and welcoming atmosphere on Tuesday afternoons. After De Vlieger closed in 2021, she continued her work at Donkergroen. When De Vlieger reopened in 2024, she returned there with the same dedication. In addition, since 2021, she has been active at Inzet on Thursday afternoons, where she assists with card games such as klaverjassen and jokeren and provides coffee, tea, and a warm welcome to participants.

Rena has also been a familiar face at the Ichthus Church for about ten years. There, she performs various tasks as a collection taker, hostess, and helper with performances and catering activities. Together with her husband, she helps with grocery shopping and catering during gatherings. In previous years, she even did this on a weekly basis. Her work consists not only of practical support—such as serving coffee and tea, preparing snacks, and helping in the kitchen—but above all of offering attention and a listening ear to people who need companionship or someone to talk to.

In addition to her volunteer work, Rena has always had an active family and social life. She has been married for many years, is the mother of two daughters, and the grandmother of three grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys singing in a choir, loves to cook and bake, and likes to go on vacation with her husband in their RV. She also values social connections in her neighborhood, where people are there for one another when needed.

The fact that Rena means a lot to the neighborhood is also evident from the words of the residents around her. Anneke, who has known Rena for about 45 years, describes her as a kind, sociable, and helpful woman who is always there for others. She emphasizes that Rena has been actively involved for at least 25 years with organizations such as De Vlieger, Donkergroen, and the Ichthuskerk. According to Anneke, Rena is someone who knows how to get things done and is always committed. Through their time together in a choir in The Hague, they have also built a special personal bond.

Peter, who has been working with Rena for about ten years, also speaks highly of her dedication. He describes her as enthusiastic, committed, and exceptionally reliable. According to him, Rena has been active at the coffee corner for about 35 years and is a steadfast presence at various community gathering spots in the neighborhood. She is almost always there and gives her all for others week after week.

The same message emerges from all the stories: Rena is a warm, loyal, and deeply committed volunteer who has been dedicating herself heart and soul to the people around her for decades. With her attentiveness, hospitality, and willingness to listen, she contributes week after week to fostering connections, providing support, and building a sense of community in the neighborhood. This makes her, without a doubt, one of the neighborhood’s true gems.