The Institut St. Joseph (ISJ) Betzdorf offers residential, occupational and working facilities for people with learning disabilities and / or severe multiple handicaps. Respecting the Christian tradition of the institution and its residents, a multi professional team is facing the varying social challenges by modern special educational and / or therapeutic approaches. Today, more than 100 residents, including children, adults and elderly, live in the ISJ Betzdorf in family like, residential units from 8 to 10 persons. Two of these 14 residential units are located in external communities, one in Esch s/Alzette, one in Niederanven. Self-determination and normalization are major goals of the ISJ Betzdorf. Assisted by the staff and according to individual possibilities, the residents take part in every day life. MAIN ACTIVITIES: The volunteer will be involved in the everyday life of a housing group for mental-handicapped children and youngsters. This includes social and educative activities and the assisting of children with personal care needs. The daily tasks will give the volunteer an insight into the live of young disabled people living in an institution. The volunteer will have a regular and constant exchange with the members of the staff and will take part in regular meetings concerning the tasks of the team. Educators will be permanently present and ready to support the volunteer in his/her request. There are a lot of different cultures living in Luxemburg. In the Institut St. Joseph we have handicapped people from many European nations. Our youngsters are very interested in the European idea. PROJECT ACTIVITIES: In 2007 two volunteers rearranged the former lunchroom to a meeting place for inhabitants, staff members and friends of the institution. Now it's called "Unser TREFF.punkt" or in luxemburgish "Eisen TREFF.punkt" and is used for playing, relaxing, reading, cinema, party, disco or creative activities. The future volunteers are asked to carry on this project and to assure regular opening hours. In addition every volunteer is welcome to workout and run an own project and will have our support. He / she will have the opportunity to plan individual activities for some of our youngsters. LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES: The volunteer will have the opportunity to gain insight in the daily life of handicapped youngsters. The possibility to take part in an integrative project will give him the chance to learn more about life, thoughts and skills of our youngsters. We think the volunteer will benefit from their views of life.