At Bernd Kußmaul GmbH, we believe that true strength lies in compassion. Continuing a heartfelt tradition we’ve embraced in recent years, we are once again dedicating our support to those who need it most: the youngest in our society. This year, our donation goes to Schlupfwinkel in Stuttgart — a place of refuge, care, and hope for children and young people in difficult life situations. We deeply value the vital and tireless work this organization does every day, and we are proud to stand behind their mission. Because every child deserves a safe place and a chance for a better future.
“Schlupfwinkel” is an open drop-in and counseling center for children and young people living on the streets of Stuttgart. Here, they can get a free breakfast, take a shower, wash and dry their clothes. They can meet others, use computers and the internet, and store their belongings in lockers.
The young people who come to “Schlupfwinkel” are between 12 and 25 years old. They come from all walks of life and belong to a variety of youth subcultures. But they share one thing in common: their stories often begin with fleeing their parental homes. For many, their current living situation has become unbearable. They turn to Schlupfwinkel in search of support, guidance, and a way to reclaim their lives.
Many of these young people fall into a vicious cycle, causing them to lose contact with the relevant authorities and support systems.
What drives young people away from home? The reasons are many – and they rarely come alone. By the time these young people turn to the streets, they’ve often exhausted all their options for coping on their own. In trying to escape one problem, they’ve become entangled in several others. They’re dealing with conflict at home, at school, and with authorities. Many are without education or employment, burdened by debt, or in trouble with the justice system. Everything that could offer them stability and security has begun to fall apart.
In many cases, there are no longer any adults the young people feel they can trust. As we all know from personal experience, stable relationships are built above all on mutual trust. Schlupfwinkel aims to rebuild that sense of safety — step by step. When the young people are overwhelmed or simply need to vent, the staff at Schlupfwinkel are there to listen. If needed, they arrange individual appointments to provide more focused support. Everyone at Schlupfwinkel is part of a dedicated and experienced team. They’ve worked together for many years and are united by a deep sense of empathy and commitment to helping children and young people find a new foothold in life.
They also offer to accompany the young people to important appointments — whether with parents, government agencies, schools, the police, or doctors. There is no pressure: everyone is free to decide for themselves what kind of support they want to accept. These children and teenagers are facing entirely different life circumstances — and what they long for is something simple and human: a normal life, and above all, a sense of perspective.
That’s why we wholeheartedly support the meaningful and important work of Schlupfwinkel this year — standing by children and young people in Stuttgart who need it most.
The entire KUSSMAUL team wishes you and your loved ones a peaceful Christmas and a joyful start to the New Year 2024!
