Jon-Ivar Windstad (on right), general manager at the Church City Mission, is happy about the support from Validus and Terje Stykket.
“It humbles me to see how fragile the walls are between success and fiasco. Personally, I have had the luck of the devil. Not just in business but also because I have been fortunate enough to experience the pleasure, commitment and energy derived from volunteer work. That makes you very rich,” says Terje Stykket, the group chief executive at Validus.
“I have seen how random life is in terms of who manages and who does not. The Church City Mission makes a fantastic contribution for those who encounter adversity in life and I am proud of the fact that Validus will now be a chief collaborating partner for the Church City Mission in Drammen,” says Stykket.
Helping people return to society
With a long service record both as a volunteer and vice president of the Norwegian Red Cross, and a professional background as a policeman and ambulance driver, Stykket has seen his share of the darker side of life. He is full of words of praise for the work that the Church City Mission does:
“The Church City Mission shows society that those who struggle with drug and alcohol addiction are more than just substance abusers ? they are human beings with resources and a life story,” says Stykket. He is also interested in the follow-up that the Church City Mission carries out in relation to both former prison inmates who have been recently discharged, and children who grow up in homes where there is substance abuse. “Here the Church City Mission helps people in extremely critical and vulnerable life situations,” says Stykket.
Social commitment in the Validus group
Jon-Ivar Windstad, general manager of the Church City Mission, extols the social commitment of the Validus group and employees. He finds the fact that Terje Stykket wants to give Validus employees time off now and then to do volunteer work for the Church City Mission to be especially praiseworthy. Terje Stykket for his part does not think that he would be where he is today without his experiences from volunteer work in particular. “It has made me rich in ways that are far more important than money,” he says.
Some of the Church City Mission’s activities:
FRIMINUTTET (“Recess”) is a recreational programme for children from grades 1–4 who have a need to do pleasurable and educational things in the company of adults who have time to spare. The children are assigned one adult whom they relate to on a permanent basis. Dinner, games, activities and help with homework are all part of the programme.
FRI is a 24-hour programme for people who have served prison time. Former inmates receive help in finding work, a new home and a new network. Employees, volunteers and counsellors serve as discussion partners and advisors during the vulnerable process following discharge.
KB UTVIKLING (CCM DEVELOPMENT) is a programme for people who due to illness or injury are obliged to change profession or need a place of work adapted to their needs. The KB UTVIKLING program offers competence development and occupational rehabilitation through courses and other measures. The department has been approved as an official organizer of initiatives for the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration’s Section for employment-related measures (NAV Arbeid) in Drammen.
MØTESTEDET (“The Meeting Place”) is a café for people who are struggling with difficult life circumstances. Most of the visitors are current substance abusers. MØTESTEDET offers care for the entire individual, in the way of meals, heat, rest, showers, a laundry service and also a warm hug from time to time.
NYBY´N AKTIVITETSKAFÉ (Activity Café) is open to all but is especially adapted to former substance abusers or people who have had or are having a hard time on “the highway of life”.
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