Meeting each other and playing soccer together creates connection at COA
On Thursday 15 May, the COA, together with the municipality and the security services, organised an information afternoon about safety in the Netherlands. Newcomers received practical information on the forecourt from the police, enforcement officers, health service and security company Trigion.
Piëzo/InZet informed the newcomers about language lessons and handed out Dutch books. The 'Meedoen' stand was also well visited. No fewer than 30 newcomers were interested in volunteer positions. At GroUp neighbourhood work, children and their parents could do crafts. And there were real 'poffertjes' which, after initial hesitation among the newcomers, were nevertheless eagerly purchased.
After the information market, the youth workers organized a soccer tournament. Alderman Véronique Frinking handed out medals and addressed the residents. "Talking to each other and playing soccer together creates a connection with each other. That is important because connection contributes to a sense of security," said the alderman.