10 years of cooperation with The Rainbow Group
Today we are highlighting De Regenboog Groep, the foundation that works for Amsterdam residents in (social) poverty and dreams of a city where no one needs to feel lost. A look back in anecdotes, photos and gratitude.
No jubilee drinks now
They themselves have other things on their minds than this anniversary, and we are well aware of that. Right now, for example, De Regenboog Groep is busy setting up extra night shelters for homeless Amsterdam residents so that they can sleep safely during the corona epidemic. But we certainly do not forget that we have been working together and dreaming together for ten years.
From a cold platform to a warm bond
On a cold winter morning in 2010, two young men were waiting at Utrecht Lunetten station for a train that did not seem to be coming. Both went looking for information but without success. "Where do you have to go?" It was Martijn Houtman (one of our founders) and Lennart Pilon, advisor to De Regenboog Groep, and this question marked the beginning of a relationship that after ten years feels like much more than just business.
Ten years... we get a little nostalgic about it. You start looking back, of course. How that trivial acquaintance suddenly led to an assignment. How we put more love into that first website than we made a living from. How this was appreciated and rewarded with more involvement and new projects. For the Neighborhood Farm, for example, or the intranet of which we are now making an extranet to connect the organization, including volunteers, more. And not to forget the website for De Derde Schinkel, where our Roel had birth cards printed for both his children. Or how we developed the brand and website for Amsterdam Underground with Freek Jalhay. How we gave discounts in exchange for a tour (by one of the formerly homeless guides) and ended up at De Prael Brewery. How our friends and colleagues get so excited by our stories that some have become volunteers for De Regenboog Groep themselves. How you are full of great ideas and together we makethe best ones a reality.
We are grateful and proud
All those people too, all those faces over the years. From Joost Slim to Joost Slis (no family), and from Lisanne to Lisette. Chulah Berkowitz, Sander Kersten and Hans Wijnands, of course. And we haven't forgotten Marit Postma either. Many hearts also for Nina ter Beek, and for Victor, Brigit, Emma and Lennart, for Fré, Sonja, Ceciel and Marleen. And for all the others with whom we worked so well together.
We want to thank you all very much for the past ten years. But even more we want to wish you strength in your important work. We are very proud to be able to help you, especially in these complicated times. Or as one of our developers wrote it in Slack when writer dezes inquired about the relationship: YOU ROCK.