On International Volunteer Day, DUO for a JOB celebrates those who give their time, energy, and experience to help young people find employment.
Among them is 64-year-old Patrick, a recent retiree and mentor for over two years, who perfectly embodies this desire to pass on knowledge and “build bridges.”
A commitment to society
After a long career spanning multinationals, SMEs, and entrepreneurial projects, Patrick wanted to remain active and useful upon retiring: “I was going to have a lot of free time, and I had always managed teams. DUO appealed to me because of its professional, highly structured framework, but also because of the profound meaning of its mission.”
He links this meaning to a strong conviction: without civic engagement, our society simply wouldn't function.
“Without volunteers, Belgium wouldn't run. I come from the private sector and I quickly realized that without the non-profit sector (schools, associations, daycare centers, etc.), the rest of society cannot function”, he summarizes.
I quickly realized that without the non-profit sector (schools, daycare centers, etc.), the rest of society cannot function
➡️ More info on our mission here.
44% of volunteers are over 50
Like 44% of volunteers in Belgium, Patrick is over 50. A generation with immense experience… but one that is too often undervalued as they reach the end of their careers.
Yet, people in their fifties and sixties want to stay active, share what they have learned, and rstay connected to the world around them. "You get an enormous amount of pleasure from volunteering because you do it without expecting anything in return, purely out of a desire to help."
Already 2 duos
With 2 duos already under his belt, Patrick has one particularly memorable experience: a young person who, at the very beginning of their journey, had described their "ideal job" on paper. Six months later, after a process filled with doubt, that is exactly the position they landed. "He came back from the interview convinced that it had gone very badly... and two weeks later, he had his contract!" Patrick recalls.
For him, this is proof that mentoring helps open doors, build confidence, and turn a somewhat distant dream into a concrete reality. "The mentee is always the pilot. I’m just there to support them, keep them on course, and encourage them to believe in themselves."
➡️ Read the article about our mentor training here.
The value of volunteering? An invaluable local and human impact
Getting involved in volunteering in Belgium, whether in Brussels, Wallonia, or Flanders, offers benefits that go far beyond individual assistance. Volunteering and mentoring are a true engine for social inclusion at the heart of our regions and municipalities.
For the volunteer, it is a unique opportunity to leverage their expertise, build strong intergenerational ties, and remain a key player in local life.
For young people, this supportive guidance, directly rooted in the realities of the local job market, often makes all the difference in overcoming hiring barriers. Volunteering in your local communityis therefore a direct investment in the economic vitality and social fabric of your own city, while also providing a deep sense of personal fulfillment.
Since 2013, DUO for a JOB has been connecting young people from immigrant backgrounds with experienced volunteer mentors over the age of 50. For six months, they work together toward a concrete goal: sustainable integration into the job market.
This December 5th, we are celebrating all of our volunteers. Thanks to them, DUO exists, moves forward, and changes lives, one connection at a time.
➡️ Want to learn more about DUO for a JOB? Check out our "Become a mentor" FAQ here.
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