CVJM Erfurt e.V.

The YMCA Erfurt exists since 1991 and accepts international volunteers since 10 years. The main goal of the YMCA Erfurt is to build a strong community in which children and young people feel comfortable and where they can have fun and share their interests with other children. The YMCA Erfurt is a peaceful place which is open for everyone. Here, children and young people receive the attention and appreciation they need. The YMCA Erfurt has a strong partnership with an integrative school in its neighbourhood (IGS Erfurt). There, our volunteers take care of pupils in the « pupils' club » and during the lunch break on a daily basis. Their task is to help the children to feel comfortable and to learn well. Since 2016 there is a flat which welcomes underage girls in the YMCA Erfurt. There we can take care for up to six refugees and German girls. Teamwork is an important aspect of our work. Besides the full-time and voluntary staff there is an international team of volunteers, with whom you will work and develop yourself. The international dimension is very important in our vision. You will have the possibility to organize and to participate in international projects. Since 2010 there is an exchange between the YMCA Colombia and the YMCA Erfurt. Every year, either our volunteers go to Colombia or Colombian volunteers come to Erfurt. There is also a long lasting partnership with YMCA France. Also from France young people come to Erfurt every year and engage themselves for one year of civic service. The YMCA Erfurt often organizes together with other youth associations cultural events in Erfurt. You will have the opportunity to experience the cultural diversity of Erfurt. In our YMCA, we help you to discover and to develop your own skills. You will be integrated in a community which offers you the possibility to work on existing projects and also to develop your own projects. You will be accompanied by a tutor who will be determined upon your arrival. The aim is to identify your skills and to increase them through the year. To accompany this process we work with the instrument "Youthpass": this document helps you to reflect on your non-formal learning. Endly, there is a YMCA-apartment close to the workplace where you can live together with other volunteers who also work for our organisation.