Open Family Apartments will soon be available throughout Berlin

Katharina Günther-Wünsch (CDU, r), Berlin Senator for Education, Youth and Family.

Senator for Education and Family Katharina Günther-Wünsch wants to expand the concept of Open Family Apartments to the whole of Berlin.

The idea behind the concept is to offer recreational activities for children and young people and advice for their parents and other family members in the same place. "The Open Family Housing provides immediate help, protection for children and support in the neighborhood," said the CDU politician. "Using funds from the Youth Violence Summit, we will expand the successful concept to the entire city, especially in difficult residential areas, to protect children and reach families directly and within short distances."

Family counseling and services for children and teens in troubled residential areas

In Spandau, a provider of socio-educational specialists will facilitate family counseling and offers for children and young people in troubled residential areas. Parents can, for example, obtain information on parenting issues and social benefits or take part in offerings such as sewing classes and German language courses while their children can pursue education and leisure activities. The offers are expressly intended to be low-threshold and the atmosphere is to be as relaxed and familiar as possible. The project also organizes neighborhood events and brings families into contact with each other. "I hope that the community initiative will launch further successful measures to prevent child poverty and youth violence in areas with social challenges," said Tenant Protection State Secretary Stephan Machulik (SPD).

Funds of 3.1 million euros for the expansion of Open Family Apartments

The experience gained from the project rollout in the Falkenhagener Feld and Heerstraße Nord neighborhoods in Spandau is to be applied in other districts in the future. According to the Senate Department for Youth and Family, there will also be more funds available as part of the package of measures adopted by the Senate after the two summits against youth violence in response to the attacks on police and firefighters during last New Year's Eve. Funds amounting to 3.1 million euros are to be made available in 2024 for the expansion of the Open Family Apartments in large housing estates. The project is run by casablanca gGmbH, while the state-owned Gewobag provides the open family apartments rent-free and covers the operating costs.

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