Brunssum boosts family support with neighborhood partnerships
Families in Brunssum will soon benefit from stronger local support networks as the municipality teams up with Neighborhood Families and KansKracht. This initiative helps parents and children connect with neighbors for practical assistance and social interaction, reducing reliance on formal care services.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Brunssum |
| Partners | Neighborhood Families, KansKracht |
| Families involved | 30 families engaged |
| Matches made | 9 families paired |
| Supportive families | 12 |
| Requesting families | 14 |
| Location for activities | Gasperistraat 7 (KansKracht) |
| Coordinator | Laura Vizarri (Neighborhood Families) |
| Councilor | Vérénice Hermans |
The municipality of Brunssum plays a key role in fostering social cohesion by facilitating local initiatives like Neighborhood Families. It provides funding, infrastructure, and policy support to strengthen community networks and reduce dependence on formal care systems. KansKracht serves as a hub for these efforts, offering a physical space for family-centered activities.
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Municipality, KansKracht and Neighborhood Families strengthen collaboration around families
The municipality of Brunssum will collaborate more closely with Neighborhood Families. The municipality sees opportunities in this partnership to strengthen the social networks around families.
The collaboration is driven by the excellent results Neighborhood Families has achieved in a short time. Neighborhood Families connects families in need with a supportive family from the neighborhood. This could mean, for example, that a child occasionally plays at another family’s home or that parents receive temporary relief. For Neighborhood Families, one principle is central: raising children is a shared responsibility!
According to coordinator Laura Vizarri of Neighborhood Families, conversations have already been held with about thirty families. From these, fourteen requesting families and twelve supportive families have emerged. Nine matches have already been made, and some supportive families even assist multiple children or families.
Councilor Vérénice Hermans (left) and Laura Vizarri of Neighborhood Families: "What could be more wonderful than another family—one you may not yet know—being willing to help you? Simply because people want to make a difference for one another?"
Social strength
The approach and philosophy of Neighborhood Families align perfectly with the municipality’s course, says Councilor Vérénice Hermans. Because the municipality also believes in the social strength of its residents. “We find it important that families can support each other. Not everything needs to be organized through care or social services. Often, the greatest strength lies in the network around a family. What could be more wonderful than another family—one you may not yet know—being willing to help you? Simply because people want to make a difference for one another.”
The municipality is therefore consciously investing in locations where social interaction is central. KansKracht, located at Gasperistraat 7, is one such place. Various activities for parents, children, and families are already organized here. By integrating Neighborhood Families into this, the involved parties aim to reach even more families and further strengthen the social network around them. “When families meet here and simultaneously discover what Neighborhood Families can offer, that’s truly the cherry on the cake,” says Councilor Hermans.
Education
Another initiative to better promote Neighborhood Families is the organization of a networking meeting for teachers, with the theme of Neighborhood Families. During this meeting, teachers can familiarize themselves with the initiative and learn how it works.
By connecting Neighborhood Families, KansKracht, and education in this way, the involved parties hope to reach even more families and further strengthen the social network around children and parents.