| The Rötenberg district in Aalen is a ‘social melting point’ close to the Caritas homeless facility. The people who live in Rötenberg are from various sectors of the population who tend to dissociate from one another. Senior citizens (expellees from former German territories), people with a migrant background (mostly Turkish) and people (often with alcohol problems) who have been placed in housing here by the authorities collide rather than come together. The majority of the residents is socially disadvantaged. This is manifest either in long-term unemployment, addictive disorders, lack of naturalisation, language problems or crime. The project “Treff Saumweg 8” is a joint development of various schemes of Caritas and the people involved. |
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This get-together is open for all and, for instance visitors, who have no bathroom facilities at home can have a shower here. Light meals and snacks can be prepared together. There are also leisure activities, further education courses (e.g. IT training), information (e.g. on unemployment and social benefits) and social counselling services. The aim of these many offers is to stabilise the district, to create and extend social networks, to get rid of prejudices and create a “sense of belonging together”. What’s important here is involving the residents in the planning and realisation of the projects. The “us” feeling is the right way to jointly address the various social problems that arise in such a close environment. Thanks to the Auerbach Foundation the work initiated here can be further developed and stabilised. |