BAAS Community Centre supporting displaced people

Hello everyone, 

These last few weeks were marked by strong community engagement and the successful implementation of several activities at the Community Center. A total of 325 new participants were registered, alongside the many participants who come regularly and for a long time, reflecting continued interest in and trust toward the services provided. Legal support remained a key focus, with a legal clinic held last week alongside a legal workshop delivered to strengthen the team’s capacity.

Public relations efforts were highlighted through a Christmas campaign featuring calendars, which helped promote the center’s activities and strengthen community visibility. One of the main social events during this period was the BAAS Cozy Gathering, which welcomed a large number of participants. The event served 140 plates and offered a variety of activities, including mural painting, bingo, a photo booth, a dancing party, and a dedicated women’s space, creating a warm and inclusive atmosphere for all attendees.

Ongoing programs continued to support both educational and recreational needs. Medical services were provided every Friday by doctors, although this clinic is expected to end in January. Regular activities such as kickboxing, piano lessons, language classes, and painting sessions remained active and well attended.

In addition to ongoing programs, several new activities were introduced to expand learning and skill development opportunities. A computer lab was launched for educational purposes, sewing machines were made available to support practical skills training, and Bingo Friday was introduced as a new community engagement activity.

Thank you for your support and merry christmas :) 

The BAAS Team 

Hello everyone! 

As summer slowly but surely begins to wind down, our community center has been full of joy, chaos, many hellos and goodbyes and transitions. Over the past weeks, we had a wonderful team of volunteers bringing a lot of energy and new ideas to the center. Therefore, the past few weeks have brought a mix of slow, hot days and vibrant social activity. In response to the summer heat, we’ve leaned into more relaxed schedule, offering board games, film nights, crochet sessions, and water games in the garden, and a lot of cold drinks and cool places to relax in the center. 

However, despite the seasonal lull, things are gradually becoming busier again. Over the past six weeks, we’ve registered 175 new people, a clear sign that our community’s needs continue to grow. We also hosted a visit from Equal Legal Aid, as well as weekly visits from the Med E'quali Team. We also welcomed a new barber offering services every Friday and Saturday. Additionally, we’ve expanded our popular piano classes, ensuring more participants have access to musical and creative expression.

One of the highlights of recent weeks was the African Festival, a vibrant celebration filled with music, traditional food, and dance organised by Kamara Market in Ioannina. The eventcreated an atmosphere of unity and joy that resonated deeply with everyone who attended. Finally, our annual Summer Party took place last Saturday and was a huge success. Around 160 people came together to enjoy food, games, and music in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

As we move toward the end of summer, we are incredibly grateful for all who make this work possible - volunteers, partners, supporters and community members alike.  Thank you incredibly much and stay tuned for some upcoming campaigns :) 

Don't forget to follow us on instagram for more updates: https://www.instagram.com/beawareandshare/ and our website for more in-depth information: Be Aware And Share – BAAS Schweiz

All the love, 

BAAS Team <3