graffiti-home
About Don Bosco Amsterdam
Origin
Don Bosco Amsterdam is an Amsterdam based foundation, started in 1995 and is part of the global organization Don Bosco. The philosophy of Don Bosco Jonathan is based on the preventive educational system of Don Bosco, an Italian Catholic priest who lived in the 19th century. The philosophy of Don Bosco is traced to a number of key concepts: presence, dialogue and equality and encouragement.

Giovanni Bosco (1815-1888) was struck by the many young people he met in prison he visited and discovered his calling: to do something about the situation of these young people and prevent them from ending up in places like these prisons. He wanted to improve the situation of disadvantaged youth. In 1859 he founded this religious congregation, the Salesians, that grew into a worldwide organization with over 16,000 members. Being, for that time, a progressive thinker his ideas and ways are still relevant and applicable in the present century and are reflected in the so-called preventive system.

Today is the background of volunteers and employees is very diverse and not determined by religious beliefs. Also the (cultural) background of the young people for whom Don Bosco Jonathan's organizes its activities is very diverse. Integration and participation of different cultures, religions and ideas within the organization are therefore of upmost importance. Yet the most important values of the organization are still traceable to the legacy of this remarkable Italian priest.

Don Bosco Amsterdam
The foundation has two main projects; Don Bosco Jonathan and SAMEN. The activities of Don Bosco Jonathan are focused on homeless youngsters and teenage mothers in Amsterdam. The activities of the latter are aimed at helping homeless kids and youngsters abroad.
Both projects are run by separate organizations existing of volunteers and one coordinator (payed employees of the foundation). Also the funding of the projects is separated.

The board of Don Bosco Foundation Amsterdam is responsible for the organization as a whole and advises and supports the various projects. The board consists of: Bart-Jan Kastrop (Chairman), Coen Banens (treasurer) and Mirjam Hoogeveen (Secretary), Sebastian Hooft, Karlijn Eskens and Jimmy van Noorden.

Share