Munich - Volunteer Jobs
Volunteer work is something you may not have thought of, but it is very worthwhile, not only for the people and organisations you help, but for yourself. If you are having difficulty getting a work permit and/or finding a job, then volunteering is a great idea. Depending on the job you find, you may get to keep your career skills up to scratch, as well as making friends with fellow volunteers you work with on a regular basis.
Employers also look more favourably on people who have been volunteering than people who haven't been working at all, so it will pay off when your work permit does come through, and when you go back home.
Munich has several avenues open to volunteer workers. These include both civil and charitable institutions.
An extensive list of civil volunteer opportunities can be found at: http://www.muenchen.de/ehrenamt/i_mach.htm
Volunteer Opportunities
A rough translation of the areas you can get involved in if you are fluent in German are:
Teaching German to migrants
Helping asylum seekers and refugees
Participation in public works such as planning and sponsoring play grounds
Volunteer fire brigade
Health: blood donor, support groups
Being a mediator in youth affairs
Museum guide
Becoming involved in district committees and residents' assemblies
City planning from a geographic or social perspective
After-school childcare
Being a school crossing supervisor
Visiting seniors
Neighbourhood assistance
Women's projects
Various sporting activities including coaching and assisting with organisation and running of sporting events
A list of charitable causes you can get involved in can be found at:
http://www.statestreet.de/de/company/community_affairs/volunteerism/volunteerism.html
These include:
Münchner Tafel e.V. (Munich Table)
website: http://www.muenchner-tafel.de/
Organising food donations (50 to 60 tonnes per week!) and distribution to the homeless and those with other needs.
Deutscher Kinderschutzbund e.V. (German childcare association)
website: http://www.dksb.de/
Offers support programs for children and families, including telephone counseling and visiting sick children.
Kinderschutz u. Mutterschutz e.V. (Childcare and mothercare)
website: http://www.kinderschutz.de/
Care for mistreated and neglected children.
Das Hospiz Da-Sein e.V. (The hospice to be there)
website: http://www.hospiz-da-sein.de/
A hospice organisation for improving the quality of life for the aged, the terminally ill, and those suffering from severe pain.
Die Elterninitiative krebskranker Kinder München e.V. (Parents initiative of children with cancer)
website: http://www.krebs-bei-kindern.de/
Offers financial and psychological support for children with cancer, and their parents and siblings, including finding housing close to the hospital.
Die Kids-Hotline
This is an internet service offering children information, help and advice.
Other charities and religious groups can always do with help. Look under the contact details in 'Charities' and 'Religious Groups'.
Volunteer jobs with Pets
If you are looking for volunteer work with animals (speaking German is not so necessary), try a local pet shop or one of the following organisations:
Ignaz-Perner-Tierheim (Ignaz-Perner animal home)
Riemer Str. 270
Munich
81929
Germany
Tel: + 49 (0) 89 921 0000
Agentur ohne Grenzen (dog and cat sitters)
Mauerkircherstr 8
Munich
Germany
Tel: + 49 (0) 89 98 10 5900
Akademie für Tierschutz (academy for animal protection)
Spechstr 1
Neubiberg
85579
Germany
Tel: + 49 (0) 89 60 02 910
Fax: + 49 (0) 89 60 02 9115
Bund gegen Mißbrauch der Tiere (association against mistreatment of animals)
Viktor-Scheffel-Str 15
Munich
Germany
Tel: + 49 (0) 89 38 39 520
Fax: + 49 (0) 89 38 39 5223
Franziskushilfe Süd- für notleidende Tiere (Franciscan aid for needy animals)
Risserkogelstr 6
Munich
Germany
Tel: + 49 (0) 89 43 53 9771
Landesbund für Vogelschutz (national association for bird protection)
Klenzestr 37
Munich
Germany
Tel: + 49 (0) 89 20 02 706
Fax: + 49 (0) 89 29 92 7088
tierrettung münchen (animal rescue Munich)
webstie: http://www.tierrettungmuenchen.de/
Herzogstr 127
Munich
Germany
Tel: + 49 (0) 89 30 77 9522
Emergency: + 49 (0) 180 5 84 37 73
Tierschutzverein München (animal protection club, Munich)
Riemerstr 270
Munich
Germany
Tel: + 49 (0) 89 92 10 000
Fax: + 49 (0) 89 90 7320
Volunteer Jobs with Religious Groups
Most religious groups are happy to accept volunteers for several different tasks ranging from visiting the sick, looking after children, running discussion groups, decorating the church and maintaining the grounds. Look for advertisements on the bulletin board in your local place of worship.
A list of religious institutions offering services in English can be found in 'Places of Worship', in the Religion section.
Other social work organisations with a religious connection where you might consider volunteering your services include:
Socialwerk der Christengemeinschaft in Bayern für-einander Sozialstation und Nachbarschaftshilfe
Kaulbachstr 95
Munich
Germany
Tel: + 49 (0) 89 34 1720
Nachbarschaftshilfe St. Gabriel
Versaillerstr 20
Munich
Germany
Tel: + 49 (0) 89 41 95 0114
