Volunteering: Helping others and empowering children

Join us, support and encourage children! Volunteer in Düsseldorf at KRASS e.V.

Are you looking for a truly meaningful volunteer opportunity in Düsseldorf and would like to support children and help them become more self-confident through art, culture, education, and participation? Then volunteering with KRASS e.V. could be just right for you.

In this article, I'll take you behind the scenes at KRASS e.V.: What is KRASS, why is volunteering at KRASS so valuable, what can you do, and what else is important!

Cultural education and participation for children: That's what KRASS e.V. does in Düsseldorf.

KRASS e.V. is a non-profit association based in Düsseldorf. Its goal is to provide children and young people with free and low-threshold access to art, culture, education, and participation.

At the heart of KRASS is the conviction that every child is creative and that this creativity should be nurtured. Because those who paint, dance, build, sing, craft, model clay, make music, or perform theatre not only learn new skills, but also strengthen their self-confidence, their ability to express themselves, and their sense of community. All of this strengthens children’s personalities and makes them resilient for everyday life. Volunteering is an important pillar of this work.

Volunteers are essential!

KRASS offers a wide range of projects and activities in Düsseldorf that rely on volunteering. These include creative workshops for children, learning support, open children’s studios, theatre projects, art workshops, free leisure activities, holiday programs, a recording studio for young people, and the well-known KulturMobil – a mobile studio that regularly travels through Düsseldorf’s districts and offers free art activities. Children can simply come by, join in, try things out, and have fun – no registration needed. Just like that. In this way, KRASS e.V. reaches many children every year in Düsseldorf and other locations who would otherwise have little access to cultural programs. And this is exactly where volunteering plays a crucial role. Because without it, none of this would be possible.

Why volunteering for children is so important at KRASS

Volunteering is the heart of KRASS. Without volunteers, many projects would not be possible at all. The artists and project coordinators within the association plan and organize the activities; their implementation depends on committed people who contribute their time, skills, and enthusiasm on a voluntary basis.

Volunteers at KRASS are not mere bystanders, but an essential and valuable part of the team. They support children while painting, crafting, dancing, or making music, and help set up events. They also supervise groups, organize outings and supervision activities, visit theatres and cinemas, or go to museums together with the children. Sometimes, they are simply there to listen, encourage, or give courage.

Typical tasks for volunteers at KRASS e.V.

Those who want to get involved with KRASS in Düsseldorf will find many opportunities to contribute – depending on their interests, skills, life situation, and available time. Whether on-site, creative, organizational, or digital: involvement takes many forms – and there's something suitable for everyone.

1. Accompanying creative projects
   You can participate in painting, crafting, or music workshops, support children, and guide their creative processes. It's not about performance, but about the joy of doing. Many children are holding a paintbrush or a camera for the first time – they need someone to encourage and guide them.
2. Learning and homework help
   KRASS also offers Tutoring and learning support. If you have patience and enjoy sharing knowledge, you can volunteer to help children with their studies, explain homework, or simply support them with their practice.
3. Support at events
   Volunteers are needed for exhibitions, summer festivals, and neighborhood events to help organize, greet visitors, supervise children, and set up booths. They also assist with the smooth running of events – for example, at the volunteer fair in Düsseldorf.
4. Volunteer work in public relations and organization
   Those who prefer to work behind the scenes can provide support in the office, with project planning, or in public relations – for example, with social media, writing, photography, or fundraising, and even distributing flyers at street festivals. All of this indirectly benefits the children!
5. Holiday programs and excursions
   During school holidays, there are often creative holiday camps or day activities where volunteers are involved. These projects are particularly popular because they are more intensive and allow volunteers to accompany the children over several days.
6. Just be there and take care
   Cutting fruit for the children, going shopping, tidying up, setting up tables and chairs, and even simply wiping a runny nose. Sometimes it doesn't take a big effort to do something good. At KRASS, it's often the seemingly simple things that count. And that's why volunteering is so important!

Why volunteering with children is so worthwhile and fulfilling

Volunteering is more than just a good intention – it makes a difference. In society, but also within oneself. At KRASS, this is particularly noticeable: Those who volunteer here experience firsthand how children grow, develop, and discover new things. This direct experience is what makes volunteering so meaningful – you don't just see the impact, you feel it.

You'll meet new people in Düsseldorf or at other locations, discover hidden talents within yourself, develop personally, and gain the satisfying feeling of being needed. Exchanging ideas with other volunteers leads to inspiring encounters, new ideas, and sometimes even genuine friendships. It's an enriching experience that costs nothing but a little time and commitment.

And you'll notice: The children give back at least as much as you give. Their laughter, their enthusiasm, and their openness are contagious. They remind us what life is really about – community, creativity, a safe space, respectful interaction, and ultimately, joy and meaning.

Without volunteers, cultural education for children with difficult circumstances would be completely inconceivable.

Children take a trip to Düsseldorf Art PalaceVolunteering makes art accessible to children.

Why is voluntary work so indispensable?

🔹 Strengthening community Volunteers create places for people to meet, promote togetherness, and ensure that people support each other.

🔹 Bringing about change KRASS's social and cultural projects for children and young people exist only thanks to the active support of volunteers. Every helping hand makes a difference.

🔹 Living values Solidarity, respect, compassion, and commitment are more than just buzzwords for KRASS. They become a lived reality through volunteer work. Volunteer support makes a concrete contribution to ensuring that we can truly live our values.

🔹 Personal development Volunteering is not just about giving, but also about growth. Those who get involved make valuable contacts, gain experience, and acquire new perspectives.

Volunteering is the quiet force behind the scenes! Volunteers donate their time, energy, and passion for a better society – and in our case, for happier children. Volunteering deserves not only appreciation but also active support. Volunteers complement professional structures and create additional capacity, creativity, and engagement.

Volunteering is democracy in action.

Volunteers bring their own and new ideas to existing structures. They provide valuable impetus and enrich us with skills and perspectives from their lived experiences. Volunteering thus also means active participation and lived democracy. It encompasses questioning structures and routines, highlighting societal developments, and contributing new viewpoints. At the same time, civic engagement promotes participation in the common good and strengthens democratic values ​​such as participation, responsibility, and social cohesion.

Are you interested in volunteering at KRASS? In Düsseldorf, Trier, Lüneburg or Hamburg?Write to us! We look forward to your message!

Working with children requires an extended certificate of good conduct. This is for the protection of children and is standard practice for all non-profit organizations that work with children. Don't worry – you don't have to pay any fees for this. Anyone involved in voluntary work can apply for the certificate of good conduct free of charge at the relevant citizens' office in Düsseldorf. The KRASS team will gladly assist you and issue the necessary certificate so you can submit your application without any problems.

Did you know that? Four facts about volunteering

Fact 1: The historical origin

Volunteering has its roots in the Middle Ages, albeit in a very different form than today. Originally (from around the 12th century onwards), "honorary offices" were public duties that citizens – mostly from the wealthy upper class – were obligated to perform. Those appointed were considered "honored" but could not refuse. It was therefore less a voluntary commitment and more a civic duty imposed by the city.

Fact 2: The German “Volunteer Nation”

Germany is a true role model when it comes to volunteering. According to the latest Volunteer Survey, over 30 million people in Germany volunteer. That's almost every second adult over the age of 14!

Fact 3: The economic value

If unpaid volunteer hours in Germany were calculated at a minimum wage, the added value would amount to billions. Without volunteers, many sectors in Germany – from fire departments and sports to child, youth, and refugee services – would simply collapse.

Fact 4: The “Volunteer Card” Düsseldorf

For particularly dedicated individuals, there's a "volunteer card"! This card entitles volunteers in many German states and municipalities to discounts at public institutions, cinemas, swimming pools, and museums. It's a small token of appreciation from society for their service. You can apply for the volunteer card in Düsseldorf. 👉 Apply for a volunteer card