Together Magazine looks at the positive impact Serve the City is having on communities across Brussels
In the bustling heart of Brussels, amid its grand architecture and political significance, an extraordinary organization is quietly making a difference in the lives of the city’s most vulnerable.
Serve the City, a grassroots charity founded in 2005, has grown into a vital force for social good, driven by a simple but profound mission: to serve those in need, fostering kindness and community through volunteer action.
Operating in a city known for being the centre of the European Union, Brussels is a melting pot of cultures, ideas, and wealth. But like many large cities, it also faces significant social challenges. Homelessness, poverty, and isolation affect many people, often hiding in plain sight.
Serve the City steps in to address these issues by connecting volunteers with opportunities to make a tangible impact on the less fortunate.
A Global Movement with Local Roots
Though now a global movement active in over 60 cities around the world, Serve the City began in Brussels. It was the brainchild of Carlton Deal, an American who had moved to the city for work. He saw the social issues affecting many people around him and was struck by the gap between those who wanted to help and those who needed it. Deal founded Serve the City as a way to bridge that gap, providing a platform for people to give back to their communities in a meaningful and organized way.
The organization’s philosophy is simple: acts of kindness, no matter how small, can transform both the giver and the receiver. Whether it’s serving food to the homeless, spending time with the elderly, or organizing clean-up projects, Serve the City encourages volunteers to get involved in hands-on ways, believing that service can create connections that strengthen communities.
What makes Serve the City stand out is its approach to service as a human connection. Volunteers are encouraged not only to «help» but to build relationships with those they serve. This personal touch is central to the charity’s vision, as it seeks to break down the barriers of isolation and foster a deeper sense of belonging.
Addressing a Range of Social Issues
One of the most compelling aspects of Serve the City in Brussels is the breadth of its outreach. The organization tackles a wide range of social issues, ensuring that volunteers can find a cause they are passionate about. Key areas of focus include homelessness, elderly care, refugees, people with disabilities, and marginalized youth.
For the homeless, Serve the City runs regular food distribution programs where volunteers prepare and serve meals, but the work goes beyond just providing sustenance. Volunteers are encouraged to sit down with those they serve, to listen, chat, and share stories. This human connection is at the heart of Serve the City’s ethos, recognizing that a simple conversation can be as nourishing as the meal itself. In addition to its work with the homeless, the charity also supports refugees who arrive in Brussels, many of whom are navigating difficult transitions into a new country.
Serve the City provides refugees with practical support, such as language lessons, job application assistance, and integration programs that help them settle into Belgian society.
This work is crucial in a city that hosts many migrants and asylum seekers, offering them a sense of welcome and community. The organization also runs initiatives aimed at elderly care. In an increasingly digital world, many elderly people face loneliness and isolation, particularly those living in care homes.
Serve the City organizes visits, bringing volunteers to spend time with the elderly, often engaging in simple activities such as playing cards, sharing a meal, or just providing companionship. These small acts of kindness make a world of differenceto those who might otherwise feel forgotten. Volunteering Made Easy One of Serve the City’s strengths is its accessibility. The organization understands that many people want to volunteer but might feel unsure about where to start or how much time they can commit. To make volunteering as easy as possible, Serve the City offers a variety of options, from one-off events to regular commitments.
This flexibility allows people to contribute in ways that fit their schedule, whether they want to volunteer for a few hours or become more deeply involved in ongoing projects. The organization also hosts large-scale events that draw hundreds of volunteers.
One of the most popular is the “Big Volunteer Week,” held twice a year, where participants are invited to join in a range of activities across the city. From cleaning parks to preparing meals for those in need, the week is an opportunity for Brussels residents to come together and serve their community in a collective effort. For those looking to make longer-term commitments, Serve the City offers volunteer training and leadership programs.
These opportunities allow people to develop new skills, such as project management, fundraising, or even learning how to work with vulnerable populations. Many volunteers have found that their time with Serve the City not only impacts others but also enriches their own lives, offering personal growth and a deeper understanding of social justice.
Building Bridges in a Divided World
At its core, Serve the City is about building bridges—between people, between cultures, and between socioeconomic divides. In a city like Brussels, where the gap between the affluent and the marginalized can be stark, this mission is more important than ever.
By encouraging human connection and acts of kindness, Serve the City strives to create a more compassionate and cohesive community. The organization’s impact extends beyond the people it serves directly. By bringing together volunteers from diverse backgrounds, it fosters a spirit of solidarity that transcends race, nationality, and class. In doing so, Serve the City reminds us that, no matter where we come from, we all have the capacity to make a positive difference in someone else’s life.
Get Involved
For those interested in joining the movement, Serve the City Brussels offers plenty of opportunities to get involved. Whether you’re looking to volunteer for a day, donate resources, or offer your professional skills, the charity welcomes all forms of contribution.
The first step is simply signing up through their website, where you can explore upcoming volunteer opportunities and learn more about their ongoing projects. In a world that often feels divided and disconnected, Serve the City offers a powerful reminder of the difference that one person’s kindness can make. Through small acts of service, volunteers are not just helping others—they’re transforming their city, one connection at a time.
servethecity.brussels
