Photo: C. Fischer

Around 37,000 young people throughout Germany are, as per the estimate of the German Youth Institute, without a roof over their head, or homeless – with the trend being on the upswing. Thus, almost one in ten people living on the street in Germany or having no permanent residence is under 27 years old. The reasons for an unsettling emergency of this kind are manifold. Problems at the parental home, being educationally disadvantaged, being out of work, experience with violence and drugs, or even the fact of a previous youth welfare institution having failed to assist.

In such situations, the registered social psychiatric association known as the Sozialpsychiatrischer Verein Groß-Gerau e. V. (SPV) is there, in collaboration with the local deaconry, the Diakonisches Werk Groß-Gerau/Rüsselsheim, to help the young people aged between 16 and 30 seeking help by providing a permanent roof over their head, however, especially in developing autonomous perspectives for their own life. Since Spring 2019, young people have the opportunity, without much in the way of obstacles, to “dock” at “Helwigstrasse 30”, for a longer period of time – generally, 6 months.

“Dock 30” is the name of this model project, which carries both the address and intention in its name. In the heart of the historic town center of Groß-Gerau, up to twelve young people who are threatened with homelessness or are already affected can find a place to which they can turn. The former Protestant deaconry headquarters give them a safe place to stay for a while, in a residence totaling 400 square meters. Besides fully equipped individual rooms, regular joint meals and basic hygiene and medical care facilities, the young men and women experience a diverse and dignified range of help facilities here. The team of trained social workers has a sympathetic ear for any concerns, around the clock – a valuable experience which the residents have often never known previously.

“Those assistance services are quite deliberately easily accessible, and specially tailored towards this group of people. For, precisely at the point of coming of age, these young people often fall out of the youth welfare system and are faced with a blank wall”, says SAGST Project Manager Elke Rahmann. At “Dock 30”, the young men and women can, due to reliable and professional guidance, once again, or for the first time in their life, develop trust. There are no questions a human in need may ask that are superfluous to requirements. “In this way, they not only gain new courage, but are also in a position to develop prospects for a self-determined future”, explains Mrs Rahmann, in regard to the healing impetus which emanates from this model project.