Proud 2 Participate – Supporting Newcomers

Doing things together brings people together.

Proud 2 Participate brings newcomers and residents of Den Bosch together. Through coffee, art, cooking and sport, we create opportunities to meet, share talents and make new connections.

MEER DAN KOFFIE

Meer dan Koffie: a cup of coffee and a new connection.

MOSAIC PROJECTS

Getting to know one another starts with doing something together.

Outdoor Activities

From kayaking to other outdoor activities, there’s plenty of room to get moving, have fun, and get to know each other.

COOKING & EATING TOGETHER

Cooking and sharing a meal brings people together.

MOSAIC PROJECTS

Our Golden Dragon auctioned for
Spieren voor Spieren.

At our event at Galerie Jan van Hoof, the mayor auctioned the Golden Dragon for Serious Request. Together with the proceeds from the coffee cart, we donated €5,661 to Spieren voor Spieren. We subsequently donated the mosaic to Jeroen Bosch Hospital.

What We Do

Meer Dan Koffie

Our mobile coffee cart brings people together and gives our baristas the opportunity to showcase their talents and gain experience.

We’ve already had the pleasure of serving coffee at some wonderful locations in Den Bosch, including Het Noord Brabants Museum, Verkadefabriek, Minitopia, the Provincial Government Building, Galerie Jan van Hoof, AZC Pettelaarpark, Koning Willem 1 College and LW Beekmanschool.

Would you like us to bring our coffee cart to you? To your workplace, an event, or simply for a get-together in your garden? We’d love to come!

Mosaic Projects

Together, we create distinctive works of art that combine craftsmanship with human connection.

For restaurant De Garage, we created a mosaic of its logo, which now decorates the terrace. Another special project is the Bossche Draak (Den Bosch Dragon), created together with newcomers under the guidance of mosaic artist Mustafa Fashtouk.

We would also love to create a special mosaic of your company’s or organisation’s logo. A unique work of art with a meaningful story! Feel free to get in touch.

Cooking and Eating Together

Cooking and sharing a meal brings people together. Recipes are exchanged, stories are shared and new connections are made around the table.

We organise cooking activities that bring newcomers and local residents together. From cooking with older people through Stichting Met je Hart at restaurant De Overkant to cooking sessions with students from Koning Willem I College.

Because cooking together is about so much more than preparing a meal!

Sport Brings People Together

Sport connects people, regardless of their background or language. Being active together, having fun and encouraging one another creates opportunities to meet and connect.

From the Vestingloop and the Night of the Refugee to canoeing and padel: we bring newcomers and local residents together through sports activities.

Pathways to Employment

We offer personal guidance and, wherever possible, connect people with employers or organisations that match their intaerests and experience.

The Bossche Draak

A work of art that brings people together

Sometimes a shared project grows into something much bigger than the artwork itself. The Bossche Draak (Den Bosch Dragon) is a wonderful example.

Under the guidance of mosaic artist Mustafa Fashtouk, newcomers and Proud 2 Participate created a remarkable mosaic dragon. The artwork was unveiled at the opening of the Pettelaarpark asylum reception centre in Den Bosch.

In December 2025, residents of the reception centre took the initiative to raise money with Proud 2 Participate for Spieren voor Spieren, the charity supported by 3FM Serious Request. Their wish was to give something back to the community in which they hope to build a new home.

At a special event at Galerie Jan van Hoof, our More Than Coffee cart and mosaic project came together. While our baristas served coffee, the Bossche Draak was auctioned. We were honoured that Mayor Jack Mikkers came in person to close the auction.

Thanks in part to the support of Galerie Jan van Hoof, Yalla Yalla and Noble Gastro House, the fundraising total eventually reached an impressive €5,661 for Spieren voor Spieren.

Afterwards, the Bossche Draak found a new home: we donated the artwork to Jeroen Bosch Hospital, where it now has a beautiful, permanent place.

The Bossche Draak tells a story not only of a shared art project, but above all of people meeting, using their talents and working together to make a difference for others.

About Us

Everyone wants to feel welcome, make a difference in the lives of others and meet new people. For newcomers, this is not always easy.

It was this belief that inspired Letteke Vernooij to found Proud 2 Participate. Through small-scale projects, we bring newcomers, local residents of Den Bosch and organisations together, with personal attention and an appreciation of everyone’s talents and interests.

We believe mutual understanding grows when people get to know one another and do things together. A conversation at the coffee cart, creating a work of art, cooking, sharing a meal or playing sports: these are all ways to meet, discover talents and build connections.

This is how new relationships are formed, confidence grows and new opportunities can emerge.

Support Us

Would you like to support Proud 2 Participate, just like Quality Roofing Systems and Blackstock Coffee?

Your contribution helps us bring people together and create new opportunities. You can support us with a financial donation, but also by providing materials, a venue, your expertise or a valuable introduction.

Every contribution, big or small, helps make our projects and activities possible.

Would you like to contribute, or do you have an idea for a collaboration?