VinziRast-CortiHaus in Vienna offers an open-door emergency homeless shelter to approx. 50 homeless people. Many are addicted to alcohol and mentally ill. In her leisure time, VERBUND employee Andrea Schwager gets involved there on a voluntary basis.

Dear Andrea, what can we envisage when we think of VinziRast-CortiHaus?
Andrea: For two Euro, homeless people receive a place to sleep, an evening meal and breakfast. In addition, they have the possibility to use the sanitary facilities. Guests are always welcome, irrespective of whether they are women, men, people with alcohol addiction or other psychological problems. For example, the guests of the VinziRast-CortiHaus may also bring their dogs - for many a loyal and important companion.

And what are your duties at the VinziRast?
Andrea: Approx. twice a month I take over the night shift in the emergency homeless shelter. The service begins at 5.30 p.m. and ends the next day at 8.00 a.m. During this period, I distribute beds along with a second volunteer, I am someone for the guests to talk to and I take care that everything runs according to a strict routine.

A strict routine? Which regulations are in place?
Andrea: There aren’t many rules as such. For example, it is forbidden to consume hard drinks or drugs, violence is taboo and racist comments are not tolerated either.

Have you ever experienced a difficult situation? How do you deal with it? How do the other volunteers deal with it?
Andrea: For me, it has proved invaluable to react instinctively to situations and to not always get involved immediately. Many problems are sorted out directly among the guests of the homeless shelter. In the event that disputes break out or somebody has had too much to drink, there are usually helping hands among the guests. Naturally we try to intervene calmly and act as an arbitrator if the situation escalates. There is no special training on how to deal with difficult situations, but supervision is offered. Only a few of the volunteers have training in the social sector. However, many of my colleagues in the VinziRast have been working in social institutions for years and are happy to be on hand with words and deeds.

What is the atmosphere like, or rather how are the interpersonal relationships?
Andrea: The most important basic principle in this job is to show respect to those who are admitted here. There are guests who simply want a place to sleep and to otherwise be left alone. On the other hand, others are happy to be able to speak to somebody. For me personally, it’s all about not wanting to improve people, but rather to accept them as they are. 

How did you come to work in this voluntary position at the VinziRast-CortiHaus?
Andrea: In 2007 and 2008, the VinziRast-CortiHaus was renovated and redeveloped. At the time, my husband supervised the commercial redevelopment by the Strabag company and continually told me about the emergency homeless shelter. This was actually the reason why I became interested in the VinziRast. Back then, I wanted to get involved in social work but this had to be compatible with my full-time job. A “taster evening” quickly turned into something more – I am meanwhile in action at VinziRast-CortiHaus several times a month and I discover a great deal of positive things for my own life.

I have never regretted my decision to do this. Since then, I see many things differently and – through my work in the Vinzirast – I have also become more aware of just how good my life is!

More information about the VinziRast-CortiHaus can be found on the website under www.vinzirast.at.