FAQ

COSTS

How much does it cost to join the YHM?
During your time in the team, you will receive accommodation and food for free. Also the Ministry Training Program is free.
What you will need to pay for is: your travel to Amsterdam and back, as well as medical insurance (but you might already have this any way). When you are from outside the European Union and are joining for more than 3 months, you will also have to pay for the residence permit fee (around 430 Euro).
Compared to most other mission opportunities serving in the YHM does not require you to raise a lot of support!

DAY SCHEDULE

How many hours a day will I be working in the hostel/ministry?
You will be scheduled for a practical hostel shift, for example at the reception or in the café. This is a 5 to 6 hours shift. It could be a morning shift (which might start as early as 7:15 hrs.), afternoon shift or evening shift (till 23:45 hrs). Male team members might also be scheduled as night receptionists.
Twice a week you will have a morning or afternoon class in the ministry training program.
In addition, you will participate in a small group with other team members as well as in other fellowship/worship activities in the staff community.
You will also be involved in the various evangelistic activities and programs for the guests in the hostel. Most of these also require preparation and planning beforehand. Something which can not be scheduled - but is a important part of your ministry - is the personal conversations with individual guests.

Will I be scheduled for each day of the week?
Each week, you will work six days and have one day off. In addition, each fourth week you will receive two days off. When you are on staff (working for 6-12 months) each month you will receive one vacation day. You can save up your vacation days in order to be able to take a proper vacation.

PERMITS

I hold a passport of a European Union (EU) country, will I need visa or permits?
No. If you are from the EU, you can travel to Amsterdam and join the YHM without a visa or residence permit. You will need a valid passport.

I hold a passport of a NON- European Union (EU) country, will I need visa or permits?
This depends on your nationality and whether you are signing up for a short or long term period. Detailed information is available in this word document. In Summary:
Short term (1-3 months): If you are from a country that is listed here, you can travel to Amsterdam and join the YHM without a visa or residence permit. If you country is not mentioned on this list, you will not be able to join the YHM for a short term period at all.
Long term (3-12 months): You will always need a residence permit and a work permit. We will apply for these on your behalve, but you will have to provide us with the necessary information and papers. Applying for these permits is only possible if your country is mentioned on this list.

Will the residence permit and the work permit always be grantend?
The residence permit will be granted after the work permit comes through. The work permit can be the bottle neck. Usually this permit will be granted if you are under 30 years of age and have recently ended school (in the last year), or are currently in school or will start school (again) after the YHM. Our personnel manager can give you a fair estimate based on your personal situation.
Because the work permit can be denied, we strongly advise you not to purchase any ticket yet, until you get the green light from our personnel manager!

TEAM

How can I get in touch with current team members and future team members like my self?
Try the MySpace Shelter group. Here you'll find a forum of (ex) YHM workers.