Royal decoration for Ms. van Leusen

Ms. M.W. (Margriet) van Leusen - Michorius (72 years old) received a Royal Decoration from Ms. Petra Dassen-Housen, Mayor of Kerkrade, on October 1. Because of her years of active involvement as a volunteer for the Kerkrade community and her commitment to various social organizations. She was appointed Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau.

Ms. van Leusen is known as a particularly concerned person with the ups and downs of Kerkrade's residents and, in particular, those in a weak position. She is enthusiastic, highly motivated, works hard and does what she promises.

The Kerkrade WMO Platform was established in early 2007. This platform was transformed into the Social Support Advisory Council Foundation in December 2019. From its inception, Ms. van Leusen has been a member and vice chair. She provides advice during consultations with official and administrative representatives of Kerkrade.  

Ms. van Leusen has been a member of the Stichting Seniorenraad Kerkrade since September 2009. In late 2011, she was appointed vice chair of this foundation, which provides solicited and unsolicited advice on elderly policy to the municipality of Kerkrade and civil society organizations. As of July 2019, she fulfills the role of chairman.

As of 2009, she is a member of the National Advisory Group on Elderly Policy. In the Housing, Welfare and Health working group, she advises the policy group on Elderly Policy Lower House.

A neighborhood survey took place in 2012 in which the topic of loneliness scored low. The Senior Citizens Council responded to this and organized a neighborhood watch. Mrs. van Leusen was one of the initiators of this initiative and its implementation. This was the start of Bewonersinitiatief op de Bossen (BIB). With projects in the field of livability, meeting, greenery and the connection between young and old with the aim of giving the livability in the neighborhood a positive impulse. During all events she is present and active as a volunteer. She is also the secretary of this residents' initiative.

Since 2019, Ms. van Leusen has chaired the Federation of Seniors Councils Parkstad Limburg.

Since the end of 2019, she has been involved in the Elderly Care in the Mijnstreek program of Burgerkracht Limburg. From 2020 she is active in the project group and from there in the subprojects 'Case Management' and 'Zo Thuis Mogelijk'.

All of Mrs. van Leusen's activities and work are of great value. Her listening ear, good view of what is going on among the elderly in the Mijnstreek, positive critical attitude and constructive attitude with an eye for various interests makes her a much appreciated volunteer.