RED CROSS

In the store they say she's out the back, and it turns out to be true. From a back building full of all sorts of things, Camilla Maria Svenningsen steps in.

“We'll go straight upstairs,” she says, apologizing that it's a bit messy.

There is, and for good reason. The first floor functions as part of the warehouse for the things the store sells. There are furniture and moving boxes all around. On a table in the middle of the room are five board games.

COLLABORATION WITH ARC AND TÅRNBY MUNICIPALITY 

Camilla took up the position as recycling coordinator and mentor a month ago. A significant part of her work is managing the collaboration between the Red Cross, Amager Resource Center (ARC) and Tårnby Municipality. The project has existed for three years and is of great value to the store.

The collaboration means that the store will continuously receive interns, which the Red Cross helps Tårnby Municipality to clarify, among other things, in relation to the need for care. The collaboration also means that the store has recycling containers at ARC at Kirstinehøj Recycling Center, where people can put things that are too good to be thrown away. Things that the store will then pick up and sell.

PRACTICE MUST MAKE MEANINGS

"My role is to coordinate. It's not just about sorting out what sells and what doesn't, but just as much about finding out where the interns fit into the work functions we have," says Camilla Maria Svenningsen.

The store's approximately 10 interns help, among other things, by collecting items from the recycling center to the store on Amagerbrogade. For Camilla, it is important that the work gives the interns something.

"The practice should make sense for those who come out. I am very opposed to people being pressured into something that is meaningless in relation to their situation. It means a lot to me that people feel safe and think it is a nice place to be," she says.

FORMER MAKEUP ARTIST

As recycling coordinator and mentor, Camilla Maria Svenningsen has to juggle several tasks. The interns must have a good time, and the store must earn money that can be used for the Red Cross' work.

This requires a versatility that is reflected in Camilla's previous jobs. She is a trained purchaser, but has also worked as a freelance makeup artist, antabuse dispenser and a counselor, mentor and business consultant for socially disadvantaged people.

"I have both the commercial side in terms of trade and stores and the social side in terms of people. It's a perfect combination in this job," she says.

A DREAM JOB

Camilla Maria Svenningsen describes the position as recycling coordinator and mentor as a dream job. When she first saw the position advertised three years ago, she was pregnant and therefore could not apply for it, but when the opportunity arose again, she jumped at the chance immediately.

"It was the right time in my life, and it was exactly this combination of commerce and social that I wanted. I sometimes pinch myself that I'm so lucky to be in this job and be with the people who work here. It's pretty amazing," she says.

A POSITIVE SPIRAL

You might have found the same thing elsewhere. Why did you choose to work for the Red Cross?

"I've always really wanted to work for a humanitarian organization. I'm a huge fan of recycling, and I think it's great that the profits from the store go to helping others. That this cycle bites its own tail. That those who help run it are not only volunteers, but also interns who need a helping hand in terms of approaching the job market," says Camilla Maria Svenningsen.

“If you can also help them in the process, it's like a positive spiral that keeps on giving. Everything we do here goes on to others who need it. The value in that is really great,” she concludes.

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Red Cross Megastore Amager is located at Amagerbrogade 139. You can follow the store on Facebook.