We at Bernd Kussmaul GmbH continue to maintain our new tradition of recent years and this year we are supporting the little ones in our society. Our donation goes to the ‘Schlupfwinkel’ facility in Stuttgart, which does significant and important work for children and young people.
‘Schlupfwinkel’ is an open contact and advice center for children and young people in Stuttgart who live on the streets. Here you can have breakfast, shower, wash and dry your clothes for free. You can meet people, use computers, internet and lockers.
The 12 to 25 year olds come from all social classes and from different youth scenes. They have one thing in common: the boys’ and girls’ stories of suffering usually begin with their escape from their parents’ home. Their current (living) situation has become unbearable for them and they are looking for help to change something about it. Young people often end up in a vicious circle and thereby lose contact with the responsible authorities.
What drives young people away from home? The reasons are varied and usually come as a package, as the young people have already exhausted all their options for dealing with the situation themselves. In doing so, they often become even more deeply entangled in their problems: they have stress with parents, school, authorities, and are often without training or a job, have debts or are in trouble with the justice system. Everything that could offer them support and security has fallen into disarray.
In many cases, there are no longer any adults in whom young people can trust. Each of us can understand from our own experience that a stable relationship is primarily based on mutual trust. The hiding place tries to restore this security step by step. If the young people are in trouble and want to get rid of stress, the employees at ‘Schlupfwinkel’ listen and arrange individual appointments with them if necessary. Everyone in the ‘Schlupfwinkel’ is experienced team players: They have been working together for a long time and are committed to the children and young people with great empathy and commitment.
They also offer accompaniment to appointments – with parents, authorities, the school, the police or with doctors. You don’t put anyone under pressure – everyone can decide voluntarily what support they want to receive. These children and young people are struggling with a completely different situation and want a normal life and, above all, a perspective.
That’s why we would like to wholeheartedly support the significant and important work of the ‘Schlupfwinkel’ facility for children and young people in Stuttgart this year.
The entire KUSSMAUL team wishes you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2024!
