The Refugee Aid Association Train of Hope Dortmund e.V.

The Refugee Aid Association Train of Hope Dortmund e.V. was founded in September 2015 by volunteers and sees itself as an MSO of people, regardless of social status, nationality, religion, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. For more than four years, the association has been supporting refugees and especially young people who have fled their respective countries as well as young people with an immigrant background. The name is derived from the motto under which volunteers offered help in the DKH Dortmund as the refugee-filled Trains arrived (Zug der Hoffnung). What makes the Train of Hope association stand out is the multicultural background and vision of solidarity, which quickly build a bridge to refugees as well as engaged youth from all countries. Above all, however, through empowerment and language strengthing. Refugees develop and use their abilities to become volunteer helpers who, because of their background, can react quickly to the changing needs of other refugees. In 2016, the voluntary engagement of the association was awarded the Engagement Award of the City of Dortmund and in 2017 with the Integration Prize. In 2017 and 2018, the association was nominated for the Federal Engagement Award and in 2018 for the Refugee Council NRW’s Award and was invited to the Federal President's Civic Festival because of its voluntary commitment. A large part of the members consists of refugees and migrants, which led to the association winning the Multi-Kulti-Prize 2018. On the 1st of November 2019, the association was recognized as a youth support provider following Section 75 of the SGB VIII. "Hope arises together" is not only a slogan for us, but a vision of a uniting social life. We believe that each individual can not only be promoted and strengthened from within the community but that together we can also shape society in a way that every individual, with all that he/she is and represents, can be received and get the ability to shape and change society to achieve peaceful coexistence, regardless of origin, gender, sexual orientation, skin color, and belief or non-faith. Together we strive for an open, tolerant, and colorful society. For this purpose, we offer workshops, seminars, activities, and implement our vision in our association. With different offers, we promote community life, understanding between diverse cultures, the dismantling of prejudices, and fight together for democracy and the rights of minorities. Racist, discriminatory, violent, extremist, and terrorist worldviews are not welcome and will not be tolerated. We stand up for each other and support those who need our help. For this purpose, we not only collect donations for people in need but also help with different problems and accompany people where we can. Together we meet social challenges and work for international understanding and solidarity. Education is a fundamental element of integration, so this issue is a matter close to our hearts. That is why we support individuals in their life path planning and accompany them in the respective processes, cooperate with educational providers, and generate workshops and seminars or carry out competency balance sheets. At the same time, we promote the political education of the participants through different methods. In addition to events on political issues, participation in democratic processes, visits to political institutions, we promote exchanges with political actors. As an association, we are independent of political currents. We believe firmly in our values set such as humanity, solidarity, diversity, and democracy, and stand together for these values. Our aims - understanding, tolerance, and solidarity between cultures - Aid for politically, racially, and religiously persecuted, for refugees and displaced persons - Children, young people, and young people - Arts and culture and sport - Education, (vocational) education and student aid - Development - Strengthening civic engagement The peaceful coexisten