UM Lost Property Finds a New Purpose Through Jas voor Jeugd
Every year, a large number of lost property items at Maastricht University (UM) are never reclaimed. A shame, as many of these items are still perfectly usable. In total, more than 500 items are left behind each year, including clothing, cables, bottles, shoes and sportswear. Normally, these items are stored for three months before being released or disposed of. Thanks to the collaboration with Jas voor Jeugd, they are now being given a valuable second life.
Jas voor Jeugd supports teenagers and young people who do not always have an easy home situation and for whom access to new clothing or other essentials is not a given. The organisation collects unclaimed clothing and items from schools and organisations and gives them a new purpose by redistributing them to young people who need them most. Jas voor Jeugd is an initiative of Stichting LEFteam, a Limburg-based foundation full of young talent.
Following a successful collaboration with UM Sports, UM decided to expand the collection initiative to include clothing and other items from various UM buildings. This has been particularly valuable for Jas voor Jeugd, as it enabled the organisation to broaden its range of items available for young adults. The foundation collects not only coats, but everything that can be hygienically cleaned and reused, including sportswear, shoes, cardigans, hats and cables. Even drinking cups are carefully cleaned so that another young person can make use of them.
It is a wonderful collaboration in which sustainability and social impact come together: a true win-win situation. A special thank you to Jas voor Jeugd for their valuable commitment to supporting these young people.
Have you lost something at UM, or have you found an item? Please hand it in at the reception desk of the UM building you are in. Reception staff keep a record of all items that have been handed in, and you can also enquire there if your lost property has been found. UM stores lost property for three months, after which the items are released.
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