A special summer festival, a special occasion: KRASS e.V. from Düsseldorf, whose founder Claudia Seidensticker was awarded the Order of Merit of North Rhine-Westphalia this year, dedicated this year's festival to voluntary work – to the people who fill the association with life and love – the volunteers.
Around 80 invited guests celebrated the commitment of all those who, day after day, help ensure that children and young people gain access to education, art, and culture. The welcoming address was given by Dr. Stephan Keller, Mayor of the City of Düsseldorf, who particularly emphasized the importance of civic engagement and the long-standing work of KRASS e.V. The welcoming address was given by Dr. Stephan Keller, Mayor of the City of Düsseldorf, who particularly emphasized the importance of civic engagement and the long-standing work of KRASS e.V.
Without volunteers, there would be no KRASS e.V..
“Our work would be unthinkable without civic engagement. People from a wide variety of professions – biologists, musicians, chefs or graphic designers – all get involved with us out of enthusiasm for the cause,” explains founder Claudia Seidensticker.
Since the organization receives no institutional funding to date, despite numerous awards (as of September 2022), the support of volunteers is invaluable. They are the backbone of KRASS and, through their passion, creativity, and experience, shape the face of our projects in Düsseldorf and our branch offices.
Equal opportunities for all children
Around 20,000 children in Düsseldorf live in poverty – many of them have only limited access to education, sports programs, or leisure activities that support both joy and development. This is exactly where KRASS e.V. comes in. Since 2009, we have been creating cultural educational programs that are open to every child – regardless of their background or financial means. Whether painting, music, dance, or media projects: at KRASS, art becomes a key to self-confidence and social participation.
Numerous supporters have accompanied our work for many years, and volunteers also contribute their individual skills in terms of content through volunteering. This results in diverse programs that are always oriented toward the needs of the children.
More than art – lived responsibility
Our work has long gone beyond art and culture. In recent years, we have expanded our range of activities in order to support children and families in a more holistic way. We now offer daily tutoring, warm meals, gardening projects, and holiday programs – all of which create community, promote education, and open up real opportunities for the future.
KRASS e.V. stands for lived responsibility, creative education, and social cohesion. And all of this would not be possible without the tireless dedication of our volunteers. They deservedly received the applause this evening.
“Our work would be unthinkable without civic engagement. We have biologists, musicians, chefs, and graphic designers working for us, simply because they are passionate about what they do,” says Seidensticker. Since the association receives no institutional funding to date, despite numerous awards, the work of the volunteers is invaluable.
20.000 children in Düsseldorf are considered poor
“Around 20.000 children in Düsseldorf are considered poor. Many of them have limited access to education, sports activities, and meaningful leisure activities that are also fun. This is where we come in!” explains Seidensticker. Numerous sponsors have supported KRASS since 2009 in its mission to make cultural education, in the form of visual arts, singing, or dance, accessible to every child. Volunteers also contribute to shaping the content of the programs, depending on their backgrounds.
Thus, the work of the association has long since ceased to be limited to art and culture, but has expanded its scope entirely to meet the needs of the children: Since Corona, there has also been daily tutoring, hot meals, garden projects and holiday programs.
