Every Saturday, more than 800 children discover a wide range of jobs via practical workshops voluntarily given by passionate professionals. By inspiring young people in a safe environment and broadening their future perspectives, we encourage them to stay motivated in school and believe in thelmselves. TADA focus on prevention, by intervening early on in the schooling of youngsters.
We organize our weekend school in 5 different branches in Brussels (in the municipalities of Molenbeek, Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Anderlecht and Schaerbeek.)
After 3 years at the weekend school, TADA youngsters join the alumni network, where they continue to receive support and opportunities necessary to become engaged citizens and contribute to society. Some help at TADA's weekend school, work as students or interns. Others join our partner organizations, create their own non-profits, and make their voices heard in the public space.
The alumni network now includes over 1500 young people.
TADA also increases its impact on society by raising awareness among a wider audience on the importance of a more inclusive society. We do this through sharing stories, inspiring education professionals to improve their work with vulnerable young people and involving citizens, businesses and other organizations to support vulnerable youngsters.
Educational inequalities are significant in Belgium. OECD PISA studies show that in Belgium, more than elsewhere in Europe, young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and/or immigrant families are more likely to drop out of school prematurely. In Brussels, the situation is alarming: 4 out of 10 children grow up in precarious conditions and are therefore at risk of dropping out of school.
Young people who leave school without a secondary school diploma often find themselves long-term unemployed. Since the corona crisis, the gap has widened further in Brussels between youngsters from vulnerable backgrounds and their better-off peers, making initiatives such as TADA crucial for the support and future of these young people.