How do young adults who have been released from youth welfare services fare and how can they be given a good start to an independent life? Around 100 experts discussed these questions at a symposium on February 12 at Fachhochschule Dortmund, using the Dortmund project "Meeting Port am Hafen" as an example.
Prof. Dr. Michael Boecker and Sina Levenig provided scientific support for the project for three years. They investigated the extent to which it lives up to its claim of offering support in all life situations to those who have no family who can do this for them. They interviewed them and the staff and specialists, held workshops with them, cooked with them and spent free time with them, gained their trust and involved them in the research.
Trust is essential
Prof. Boecker says that the trust of care leavers, as those leaving youth welfare are scientifically referred to, is crucial. "This may sound trivial, but in reality it is sometimes very challenging when time is short and there are structural barriers." Networking with existing services and informing young people about their rights and options are also necessary.
And: nothing works without the consistent involvement of the target groups. Prof. Boecker: "This has been particularly successful in Dortmund. Care Leaver Dortmund e.V. was founded by care leavers in 2024 and is politically committed to the rights of care leavers in both local and national discourse."
People who believe in it
The association was also represented at the symposium, as were Monika Nienaber-Willaredt, Dortmund City Councillor for Schools, Youth and Family, and Dr. Annette Frenzke-Kulbach, Head of the Dortmund Youth Welfare Office. This has reinforced the realization "that we need people who believe in change," reports Prof. Boecker.
"This includes Grünbau GmbH, the City of Dortmund and stakeholders from Fachhochschule Dortmund as well as the Stiftung Neue Zukunft foundation and the company Dr. Ausbüttel GmbH & Co KG. Together, we have managed to ensure that the Meeting Port am Hafen project will be financed by the City of Dortmund for the next five years." The extent to which Fachhochschule Dortmund can provide support in the future is being examined.