Pestalozzi-Stiftung Hamburg
The Pestalozzi-Stiftung Hamburg appeals to the convictions of Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi whose aim in education was "to strengthen the human being" and to move him to a point where he is "able to help himself".
Furthermore, ideological ideas or songs which glorified the national consciousness or the fighting spirit of the army were not spread at any time in the children's home.
Throughout the years, the charity has been changing its shape, and it has broadened its range of facilities in the field of child, youth and family services, as well as the care for people with handicaps.
Over the years the concepts and practical offers have been developed due to historical and social changes and adjusted to the newly arising circumstances.
The people who are supported learn to solve conflicts and everyday problems, to open up new vistas, to turn their ideas into reality, as well as to cut self-confidentially and successfully their own paths.
The charity emphasises that it is a central goal to support and nurture the development of each individual according to their own talents, strengths and interests, and to build social networks within the society.
The charity work aims to enable people through intellect, kindness and humanity to perform autonomous decisions and actions in daily life.
Currently there are four child day care centres within the Hamburg city limits: in Eißendorf, Borgfelde, Eppendorf (on the campus of the Charity-foundation "Anscharhöhe") and in St. Pauli, situated within the Millerntor-Stadion on the Heiligengeistfeld.
The Pestalozzi-Stiftung Hamburg offers children and youths who cannot live any longer with their families a chance to stay temporarily in residential houses in the districts Altona-Nord and Farmsen.
Their goal is to provide the children and youths with an atmosphere of warmth and security, and to strengthen their sense of self-confidence and responsibility in day-to-day life.
Through a family-like environment, professional social workers create a secure and protective atmosphere and place which allows the youths to develop a sense of trust and lead a life according to their interests and age.
The Pestalozzi-Stiftung Hamburg offers social-pedagogical help in child-raising to families who live in dysfunctional and difficult circumstances and which are sent by the youth welfare office.
During the consultation the clients receive information about different ways in terms of searching for an apartment or work place, how to back up the financial basis and to ensure adequate health care.
Further the centres provide support during the time of separation processes and in dealing with mental sicknesses, as well as accompanying people with handicaps in daily life issues.
For example, in the historical house in the Diestelstraße in the district Ohlstedt, Hamburg women and men of different ages with mental handicaps live together and get support in daily life.
The Pestalozzi-Stiftung co-operates with the Hamburger Werkstatt GmbH which runs the "Treff Berne" cafe and offers people apprenticeship opportunities.
The "family midwife's projects" in the part of town of Berne and Großlohe support pregnant women and mothers who have psychological, financial and social problems or are under age.
In the Hamburg district Farmsen, there is a youth centre where children and youngsters from the age of 8 to 18 years meet regularly and practise break dancing, skateboarding, table football, billiards, or Wii games.
