Humanitarian

**Freedom: Self-Determination, Responsibility, and Human Dignity** Freedom is one of the most important concepts of human life, political philosophy, ethics, and modern law. It does not simply mean doing whatever one wants. Rather, freedom refers to the ability of human beings to make choices, shape their lives, and act as self-determining and responsible persons. To speak about freedom is therefore to speak about autonomy, dignity, rights, responsibility, justice, and the real conditions that make human action possible. Historically and philosophically, freedom has often been understood in different ways. One important meaning is negative freedom. This means freedom from external coercion, oppression, violence, arbitrary state power, and unjust interference. In this sense, a person is free when others do not prevent them from thinking, speaking, moving, believing, or living according to their own choices. Negative freedom is central to human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and the protection of individual life. Another important meaning is positive freedom. This refers not only to being free from interference, but also to being able to determine one’s own life consciously and responsibly. A person is truly free when they can reflect on their desires, understand their choices, develop their abilities, and act according to their own reasoned decisions. For this reason, freedom is closely connected to education, self-awareness, moral responsibility, and personal development. However, freedom cannot be understood only as an individual right. It always exists in relation to other people. My freedom must be compatible with the freedom and dignity of others. Therefore, freedom requires responsibility, respect, and limits. A free society is not a society without rules, but a society in which rules protect equal freedom for all. Law can restrict freedom, but it can also secure freedom by protecting people from violence, domination, discrimination, and injustice. Freedom also depends on social conditions. A person may formally have rights, but still lack real freedom because of poverty, lack of education, discrimination, social exclusion, economic dependency, or fear. For this reason, freedom is not only about what people are legally allowed to do, but also about whether they actually have the resources, opportunities, and recognition needed to act freely. Real freedom requires both legal protection and social possibility. Today, freedom is challenged by many modern problems: inequality, digital surveillance, algorithmic control, economic pressure, political polarization, war, insecurity, and the constant demand for productivity and self-optimization. Modern societies often give people many choices, but these choices can also create pressure, anxiety, dependency, and loss of attention. Freedom can be limited not only by open coercion, but also by invisible forms of control, social expectations, and technological influence. Freedom also has everyday and existential dimensions. It appears in the ability to have time, space, privacy, silence, rest, attention, bodily security, and the possibility of beginning again. A person is not only free when they can act, but also when they can think, pause, refuse, make mistakes, remain imperfect, and protect their inner life from constant pressure and visibility. This discussion invites a critical exploration of freedom as a moral, political, legal, social, and personal reality. Freedom is not the absence of all limits, but the ability to live consciously and responsibly within the conditions of human life. Freedom is not only what people are allowed to do; it is also the dignity, responsibility, and real possibility they need in order to shape their lives. *** 📅 Event Details 🗓️ Date: Saturday, 13 Juni 2026 ⏰ Time: 14:30 📍 Location: Hardenbergstraße 10, 10623 Berlin 📱 WhatsApp: For prep materials and directions (Group Chat) [Group Chat Bio KI](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ba8ZAaH2Yuk6FGmD3LLO7H)

**🎶 YAARIYAAN – An Evening of Music, Mehfil & Memories 🎶** Step into a cozy evening filled with music, laughter, stories, and soulful vibes at YAARIYAAN – a warm mehfil where strangers become friends and every song feels like home. Join us for an intimate jam session experience featuring acoustic music, live singing, guitars, open-hearted conversations, and a relaxed homely atmosphere. Whether you love to sing, play an instrument, or simply enjoy soulful evenings with good company, this is your space to unwind and connect. **✨ What to Expect:** • Acoustic jamming & singalongs • Cozy mehfil vibes • Community bonding & conversations • Open and welcoming atmosphere • Music, laughter & memories Bring your guitar, your voice, your stories — or just yourself. **📅 Date: 13th June 2026** **⏰ Time: 6 PM – 9 PM** **📍 Venue: Prachtwerk, Ganghoferstraße 2, 12043 Berlin** Come experience an evening where music meets friendship and every moment feels personal. Feel the mehfil, feel the vibe. ❤️ Note that entry to is only allowed with valid Ticket 👉Online Ticket- [https://Mehfeel-evenings-Yaariyaan.eventbrite.de](https://Mehfeel-evenings-Yaariyaan.eventbrite.de) 👉 Join our WhatsApp community [https://chat.whatsapp.com/BySNby0Ytum9owcyjiqIGr?mode=gi_t](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BySNby0Ytum9owcyjiqIGr?mode=gi_t) 👉 Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mehfeels.germany?igsh=MTZqMzFjZjlkajFoOA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr](https://www.instagram.com/mehfeels.germany?igsh=MTZqMzFjZjlkajFoOA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr)

🌈 **Come stroll, stim, and be yourself—whether that means quiet connection or proudly owning your neurodivergence!** *A casual pride walk to celebrate Neurodivergent Pride Week ended with a cozy picnic.* 📍 **Meeting Point:** Landwehrkanal (Kreuzberg) https://maps.app.goo.gl/YB4CFUEtuQXHaYt76 See the exact location link on this page (it’s near the public toilet). Look for the **neurodivergent symbol** (rainbow infinity ♾️✨) and **organizers wearing "Ask Me" rainbow lanyards**. 📍**End Point:** Treptower Park - then relaxing picnic. **If you arrive late and want to catch up, join this Telegram group for the live location:** [https://t.me/+W8Wv9BynkSw0NjMy](https://t.me/+W8Wv9BynkSw0NjMy) **There will be documentation (photos and possibly video) during the event.** **If you don't want to be documented, wear a red crossed out symbol** 🚫 **nametag** (we can provide it but you can also help us by bringing them yourselves—so we can spot you easily) and we'll cover your face. We're asking for your help with this because documentation will still happen—and we want to show our pride in being neurodivergent. **🌿 Walk Vibe:** * **Laid back** – Walk at your own pace, just stay with the group. * **Sensory-mindful** – A quiet walk without added music (though we can’t control external sounds). * **Socializing? Totally Optional!** \- Chat if you feel like it\. \- Or enjoy the quiet\. **\- Nonverbal?** We have **infinity symbol** **tag** for those who prefer not to talk. Just ask an organizer! * **Safe for LGBTQ+ & BIPOC.** No racism, sexism, discrimination, ableism or hate speech—violations mean immediate removal. * This is an **adult-focused (18+)** event, but minors who are neurodivergent may attend if accompanied by a caregiver. * Organizers will provide some **pride items** to carry while you walk, if you’d like. * We will have **bookmarkers about neurodiversity** that we can share with people along the way, and you’re welcome to help if you want. **🎒 What to Bring (Optional, but welcomed):** * Neurodivergent pride items: symbols, shirts, flags, stim toys, etc. * Comfortable shoes, water, snacks, sunglasses/ear plugs – whatever helps you feel comfy. * Picnic blanket – extras welcome! We'll have a designated quiet zone at the end. * food and drinks, to replenish your self during the walk and during the picnic at the end of the wall. * And of course: **your wonderful self. No pressure to “perform” pride – just come as you are.** **🚶Walk Structure:** **Meet-Up @ Landwehrkanal:** * Look for the **rainbow infinity flag/banner**. * Short intro about the route, safety, and general vibe. * We’ll share **live location** on the event page (for late joiners – you can catch up!). **Walking Together:** * Organizers will walk at the **front, middle, and back** to keep the group together. * Need a break? Just signal an organizer! **Arrival @ Treptower Park:** * Time to relax! Spread out a blanket and unwind. * Bring snacks/drinks if you’d like (no pressure to share). * Stay as long or as little as you like – no formal end time. **⚠️ Important Notes:** * Organizers are **neurodivergent volunteers** – we’re here to guide, not to manage care. * Please be responsible for yourself and **mindful of others’ needs**. * Need something? Ask someone wearing an **"Ask Me" rainbow lanyard**. * **Allies are welcome!** Please respect that this is a **neurodivergent-centered space**. **💬 Questions?** DM the event page or drop a comment. Let’s celebrate neurodivergence – together, and at our own pace. 🌟 *(This event is DIY and community-run. Be cool, be kind.)*

**NVC & Voice Workshop** This workshop brings together **Nonviolent Communication (NVC)** and **voice work** as two complementary paths of exploring how we express, listen, and relate. NVC offers a way to understand what is truly alive in us — beneath judgments, reactions, and habits of language. Voice work opens a direct, embodied channel to express that aliveness — beyond words, through sound, vibration, and presence. When these two meet, something shifts: Communication becomes not only something we *say*, but something we *feel, hear, and resonate with*. Perhaps even something we *are*. **What we'll explore** Throughout the day (or weekend), we will move between these two practices, letting them inform and deepen each other: * How to share authentically — and listen in a way that truly receives another * How voice can reveal what words alone cannot * How we can connect deeply to ourselves and others through our authentic sound * How judgments point toward deeper, meaningful needs * How the **4 steps of NVC** can be experienced not just cognitively, but in the body * How needs live in us — and how they can be expressed through both language and sound * How empathy can be practiced not only through listening, but also through collective voice **We’ll explore this through:** * Guided check-ins (spoken and vocal) * Partner and group exercises * Embodied explorations of resonance and vibration * Reflective moments to integrate insights **The experience** This is a **practice-based, experiential space**. We will move between speaking and sounding, listening and sensing, structure and openness. No prior experience with NVC or authentic voice work is needed — just a willingness to explore and be present. **Practical Details** * **Location:** Kunstquartier Bethanien, Mariannenplatz 2, 10997 Berlin-Kreuzberg * **Dates:** 13th June 2026 * **Time:** 10:00 – 17:00 **Pricing** Sliding scale: €70 – €90 **Who is this for?** For anyone curious about: * Bringing more authenticity into communication * Connecting voice, body, and inner experience * Exploring NVC beyond concepts — as a lived practice * Experiencing connection that goes beyond words **Registration** To register, please fill [this form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2ZWgcUA1GUSlayL0Q--ijZ1lHNYkBWXu60sfRuQEQGA3HdA/viewform?usp=publish-editor). ## Your Facilitators **Martina Pesce** Hi, I'm Martina. I came in contact with Nonviolent Communication (NVC) through a relationship where I started to grasp the beauty of this tool. After 3 years of self-study and occasional practice, I was touched by how this communication allowed me to connect with my mum in conflict, so strongly that I felt love for her for the first time in 20 years. Unsatisfied with the lack of mental health support in the neuroscience research field, I decided to switch careers and dive deep into NVC. I trained as a mediator, counsellor and trainer at the Connecting2life school (Yoram Mosenzon). It was a two-year-long process of embodying the tool and then learning how to transmit it so that it could sink in the body. For a year I've been holding my workshops, courses and 1:1 practice. My approach is based on practice and embodiment. I found NVC very revolutionary and with that respect, I like to let sink in our system a few bits of info at the time, rather than an overwhelming waterfall of theory. **Anne Loek Beernink** Anne Loek has been an actress in film and television during the earlier stages of her professional career. Her deep interest in the power of the human singing voice led her on a profound journey of personal and professional transformation. Her work supports the process of re-wilding, of nurturing a deeper and more authentic relationship with one's own body and innate creative potential. She explore, creates and holds space in the fields of voice, sound, movement, personal growth and ancient wisdom. Her work intends to contribute to connecting one with one's deeper calling. She studied Holistic Voice Therapy and received training in Collective Vocal Improvisation in the UK and Germany. She holds a M.A. in Integral Movement and Performance Studies from Rose Bruford College London in collaboration with the ITPC.

Wir zelebrieren gemeinsam einen vielfältigen Samstagsbrunch. Es gibt köstliche Waffeln und Pfannkuchen mit leckeren Toppings. Alle Zutaten sind pflanzenbasiert und Bio/nachhaltig/gerettet. Wir laden Pianisten ein unser Klavier zu bespielen. *** Kommt einfach vorbei. Ihr braucht keine Anmeldung. *** Bitte bringt warme Socken mit. Teilname und Getränke auf Spendenbasis. *** Siehe auch auf: LebensMittelPunkte-Berlin

International Meetup for those who still like to follow the Peaceful teachings of Christ. We are free and curious humans, try to practice patience, kindness, humanity, etc, and have the freedom to read any book of the world, including the Gospels. Let's support each-other, upbuild faith, and find some like-minded friends in our community. (If you are a new believer, you are also welcome only if you have been practicing Christianity regularly for at least since last 3 years. )

EVERY 2. and 3. saturday of the month A community project offering creative sessions for children and families—music, movement, yoga, and arts—all designed to spark joy, expression, and connection. Please sign up through whatsapp or email to join the fun. Ein Gemeinschaftsprojekt, das kreative Sitzungen für Kinder und Familien anbietet – Musik, Bewegung, Yoga und Kunst –, die alle darauf ausgelegt sind, Freude, Ausdruck und Verbundenheit zu wecken. Die Stunde findet auf englisch statt Teilnahme auf Spendenbasis Bitte melden Sie sich per WhatsApp oder E-Mail an, um am Spaß teilzunehmen. [+49 1512 9693732](http://wa.me/4915129693732) / [hello@littlehumansarts.de](mailto:hello@littlehumansarts.de)

Ditch the old book club, where everyone has to read the same book...this is better! It works like this: Bring your own book. Come chat, have some tea or coffee, get to know your neighbors. Then we quietly read together, side by side, for about one hour, each one reading their own book, and afterwards we talk with each other about what we are reading. The usual agenda: - Arrival and introduction (~20 minutes) - ⁠Silent reading (~1 hour) - ⁠Discussion (~30-40 minutes) - ⁠Join us for a bite at a local restaurant afterwards, if you like! You may read in any language, you may read any book. We are a group of international residents of Berlin from many different countries, of all ages, and we converse in English. We welcome you! No registration needed – the event is donation based. All funds support the Offenes Wohnzimmer.

Ciao a tutti! For our event we would like to meet you at 17:00 and have a beer all together, or other drinks. The goal of our first meeting is to get to know eachother and practice Italian and German. Please don’t be afraid that your language skills might not be sufficiently good or that you are a beginner. We understand that learning languages is a difficult and long journey. We don’t tolerate discrimination. We don't tolerate any aggressive or weird attitude. This has to be a Place of Comfort zone for everyone :) Please be respectful and kind with the others! PS: you can find us on the pool table area usually, if not just ask to the bar area for the reservation on the name "Claudio" A presto, bis bald Claudio Ich hoffe dass wir bald uns sehen!

I’ll be in the beautiful Treptower Park, and you’re warmly invited to join me for a calming yoga session by the water 🌿 No pressure, just come as you are. I’ll guide the practice based on the group, your needs, and how we feel in the moment. You just need to bring your mat, water and comfy clothes. Hope to see you there!🪽 The class is donation-based. (the exact location will be send in private)

**Worum geht’s?** Entdecke die Kraft der Worte – in Gemeinschaft. In dieser offenen Gruppe lesen wir gemeinsam kurze literarische Texte – Gedichte, Mikrotexte oder Auszüge aus längeren Werken – und lassen uns von ihnen zum Schreiben einladen. Nach dem gemeinsamen Lesen nehmen wir uns Zeit zum Nachdenken und Austausch. Anschließend schreiben wir 20–30 Minuten Seite an Seite – inspiriert von einzelnen Worten, Sätzen oder dem, was uns gerade bewegt. Im Mittelpunkt stehen nicht handwerkliche Aspekte, sondern das persönliche Erleben, das Gefühl von Verbundenheit und die Funken, die Worte in uns entzünden können – besonders für Menschen, die belastende Erfahrungen gemacht haben, und alle, die auf der Suche nach neuen Perspektiven sind. Wer möchte, kann am Ende den Text teilen, der während der Sitzung entstanden ist – genauso willkommen ist es, einfach nur zuzuhören. Das Teilen ist immer freiwillig. **Die Teilnahme ist kostenlos – und ohne Anmeldung möglich.** **Über die Gruppenleiterin** **[Ingrid E. Johnson](https://ingridejohnson.com/de)** ist Deutsch-Amerikanerin, Gründerin von RECASAS und Peer-Support-Spezialistin. Lesen und Schreiben haben ihr selbst durch schwierige Zeiten geholfen. Schreiben in Gemeinschaft bedeutet für sie eine andere Quelle von Kraft und Inspiration – und genau dieses Erlebnis möchte sie ermöglichen. Mehr Informationen hier: https://recasas.org/2025/10/01/lesen-schreiben-teilen/ In Zusammenarbeit mit RECASAS, im Rahmen der Sonntagsöffnung der Amerika-Gedenkbibliothek (ZLB), veranstaltet von artecom.

An official satellite event of the [New European Bauhaus Festival](https://new-european-bauhaus.europa.eu/events/festival_en) program – Saturday June 13, 2026 cover art by [Isaac Abrams](https://isaacabrams.com/) Immersive Resonance is a 7-hour participatory satellite event hosted by Das Baumhaus Berlin that combines dialogue, artistic experience, collective reflection, and embodied practice to explore how New European Bauhaus (NEB) values can be sensed, shared, and lived together. Positioned at the intersection of FORUM and FEST, the event creates an open and welcoming environment where intellectual exchange, emotional connection, physical engagement, and reflective practices coexist. Through a carefully curated sequence of activities—ranging from discussions and workshops to immersive meditation and celebratory gathering—participants are invited to explore new frameworks for solidarity, balance, and collective responsibility. Program 16:00 – **Open Greeting Zone (OGZ)** The event begins by transforming the entire venue into an Open Greeting Zone, where informal introductions and spontaneous encounters are encouraged. This format lowers barriers to participation, supports inclusion, and creates a welcoming environment for diverse audiences. Drinks and snacks are provided to support convivial exchange. 17:00 – **Opening Remarks by Scott Bolden (Baumhaus founder)**: Exploring New Frameworks for Solidarity Introductory reflections situate the event within the New European Bauhaus values and outline the relevance of solidarity, balance, and collective responsibility in addressing current social and ecological challenges. 17:15 – **Short Film Screening** Screening of Re:Balance – The Basis for a Social Evolution (6 minutes, English with subtitles), offering a concise artistic and conceptual input on systemic imbalance and societal transformation. Re:Balance serves as a catalyst for dialogue during the moderated discussion. 17:20 – **Moderated Q&A and Discussion** An open discussion invites participants to reflect on the film and connect its themes to their own lived experiences, professional practices, and community contexts. 17:45 – **Short Break** (food, drinks and snacks will be available all day) 18:00 – **Participatory Workshop: “Transforming Imbalance” (60 minutes)** A facilitated, interactive workshop where participants identify imbalances in personal, professional, and community contexts and co-develop realistic, actionable responses for the present, alongside longer-term aspirations. The workshop emphasizes collective intelligence, co-creation, and agency. 19:00 – **Workshop Feedback and Open Discussion** Participants share insights, observations, and proposed actions, supporting mutual learning and collective reflection. 19:45 – **“News You Can Use”** Short one-minute peer-to-peer contributions where participants share offers, needs, initiatives, or upcoming events, strengthening networks and encouraging continued engagement beyond the event. 20:00 – **Evening Soirée** An informal, festive networking moment with music, drinks, and snacks, reinforcing the FEST dimension and social cohesion. 20:30 – **FLOW Meditation (60 minutes)** An active, guided, immersive meditation that fosters awareness, resonance, and embodied reflection, offering a sensory experience aligned with well being and sustainability values. 23:30 – **Closing at Das Baumhaus Berlin** Optional continuation of the evening at a local cultural venue, reinforcing community connection and cultural exchange. Immersive Resonance aims to cultivate a shared consciousness and inspire continued participation and action beyond the event itself. By blending dialogue, creativity, and celebration, the event makes NEB values tangible and experiential—fostering beauty through meaningful encounters, sustainability through awareness and balance, and togetherness through inclusive, participatory formats.

We meet in front of Mitte Museum (Pankstraße 47) and visit the museum for an hour. They have two temporary exhibitions at the moment ([Ausstellungen - Mittemuseum](https://www.mittemuseum.de/de/ausstellungen)). Then we follow the Panke to the Bürgerpark Pankow. From there we head to the Volkspark Schönholzer Heide and the Park am Wilhelmsruher See. At the Edge of the Märkisches Viertel we follow the railway tracks that take us out of the city through fields and woods before reaching Mühlenbeck-Mönchmühle S-Bahn station. If you need to contact other participants during the hike (for example, to find out where to meet us if you are running late), please use the Signal group link that I will send to all participants via private message three hours before the hike. This timing is intended to prevent non-participants from misusing the link for unwanted advertising, which has happened in the past. Signal allows us to share our locations during the hike without involuntarily forwarding this information to the intelligence services of authoritarian or non-authoritarian states, but unfortunately the location sharing function does not include tracking, i.e. no continuous updates. For all other purposes, especially socialising and posting photos, please use the Telegram subgroup 'Event Chat & Photos': https://t.me/+8-_rnJBuabBkNjI0 . The hike will take place if at least 6 people sign up. As long as there are more than 6 people, you can sign up and cancel as many times as you like. If there are 6 or less people, please avoid cancelling, as this might make the other participants feel insecure about whether the hike will take place (or whether there is something wrong with the hike and they should cancel as well --> [Matthew effect - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_effect)). If there are less than 6 participants, the hike will also take place unless the majority of the participants are in favor of canceling the hike.

Silent Book Club is a group of book lovers who enjoy reading together in public. All books and all readers are welcome. (Kindly RSVP 'yes' only if you can make it, so we can save a seat for you and our fellow readers on the waitlist!) This page-turning party will unfold in the Café (1st floor) at the Bode Museum. There's no entrance fee, but please order at least one item from the cafe and don't bring any outside drinks :) No quizzes, no pressure, no assigned books - just a group of book-loving souls basking in the beauty of silent reading. **Our thrilling agenda:** 10:30 am - 11:00 am - Arrivals, ordering drinks/food (social time) 11:00 am - 12:00 pm - The Great Quiet Reading Hour (where silence is the star) 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm - Optional socializing, share your reading adventures or just keep exploring the pages Stay for lunch, and who knows? You might just find your next favorite book over a pizza. NB: If you plan to go for lunch, please consider bringing cash, as some restaurants only accept card payments after a certain amount.

The Unity of Columbus Resource Group for the Homeless is seeking compassionate volunteers who would like to help serve and uplift members of our homeless community. This group is dedicated to sharing kindness, resources, and support with individuals who may be experiencing difficult circumstances. Anyone with a heart for service is welcome to join us as we work together to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Community members are also invited to contribute by bringing helpful items for those in need. Donations of items can be contributed at the meeting and will be distributed to assist members of the homeless community. Please consider joining us and sharing this opportunity with friends, family, or associates who may also wish to help. Learn more about Unity of Columbus at www.unityofcolumbus.org or call (614) 267-4959. Together we can extend compassion, dignity, and support to our community. 💛

Ciao a tutt\*! Let's meet Monday at 6.30pm at the Upper Arlington Library (Tremont Branch) in **Meeting Room A** to speak in Italian for 1 hour.

We will be marching again this summer at Pride. Come ready to show your Pride and stand-up for every human's right to love, respect, and family! * **Step-off:** 10:30AM * **Route:** High Street from the Capital to Goodale Park Update: We are meeting at Bob Leonhard's house. You can park your car there and we will carpool to the parade. This will eliminate you finding parking in the city and excessive walking. You SHOULD BE AT BOB'S HOUSE BY 8:45 a.m.! We will leave for the parade at 9:15 am sharp! Bob's address: 2858 Thorndale Avenue, Columbus, OH 43207 If you have questions, his number is 614-301-7436

Start your week the right way with Manic Mondays. Giving you an enjoyable Bachata lesson with a push of cool moves. The second hour has Beginner/Intermediate Salsa on 1. You must understand basic Salsa skills to participate. 730pm-830pm Bachata Cool Moves 830pm-930pm Salsa On 1 (Beginner/Intermediate) 15 for One Class 20 for Both Free Parking & Plenty of Dance Space. Viva Dance Columbus 2809 Festival Lane Dublin OH 43017

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!

Come assist Van Buren Shelter (https://ymcacolumbus.org/locations/vanburen) staff in serving dinners and cleaning up on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Dinner for the women is 5-6 pm and for the families is 6:15-7:15 pm. There is ample free parking available in the shelter's lot. The recommended area to park is in green in the image above. There will be a new entrance for the time being. We are asking all volunteers to enter through the Donation Dock door, the orange mark on the image above. This door is located between the Single Adults and Family Shelter. You will see 2 large garage doors with a large green trash compactor in the center. Please head to the closest garage door to the building wall, with a ramp leading up. There, you will see a door with a sign stating instructions on how to enter the building. Please ring the doorbell, and a staff member will come and escort you into the building. If a staff member takes longer than 5 minutes, please call the front desk at 614-689-2020. This is a new process for us, and we do not want to keep you waiting! We appreciate your patience as we navigate this temporary change. The shelter needs a volunteer count the day before the event so sign-up ends Monday at 4:50 PM. Afterwards some of us go to the Omnipresent Atheists Weekly Meetup in progress to have a bit to eat or drink (http://www.meetup.com/omnipresentatheists/). Volunteers must be 14 or older. Since we will be working around families, the YMCA does not permit volunteering by individuals with convictions for violent or sexual crimes. The YMCA reserves the right to run background checks on volunteers. For questions, comment on this page or contact: Andrew, awhit12@yahoo.com, (614)937-5802 (cell). Please let Andrew know if you volunteer anytime other than our COUNT events so that he can count your hours toward our service record.