Not only has The Regenboog grown larger as an organization through mergers and the acquisition of several walk-in centres, but its target audience has broadened. And the objectives have also become broader. Just as important as shelter and support are now activation and participation. De Regenboog Groep aims not only to protect certain groups of vulnerable people, but also to help them become self-reliant. That creates opportunities for collaboration with organizations that are pursuing the same thing for similar groups.
Quartering
This happens, for example, with the Amsterdam Friends Services Foundation, which pairs buddies with people who have few social contacts due to psychiatric symptoms. Under the name Kwartiermaken, for example, this foundation holds cooking and activity afternoons every Sunday in two community centers for participants, buddies, friends and local residents.
Homeservice
Plans to offer meaningful day care as well took shape in 2006 with the Homeservice project, an initiative of Amsterdam Friends Services and the De Waterheuvel foundation. Homeservice, for and by people with mental health problems has been successful from the very beginning. Participants offer each other practical and personal help with daily chores. The initiative was fully transferred to De Regenboog Groep in 2009.
Homeservice