Save the family centers in Wusterhausen: signature campaign started!

Save the family centers in Wusterhausen: signature campaign started!

In Wusterhausen and Kyritz, the fate of the family centers hangs in the balance. Many parents are concerned because the closure of these important contact points could have a significant impact on social cohesion in the region. Marie (4 months) and her twin brother Theo regularly attend the toddler group at the Wusterhausen family center. Her mother Janine (33) appreciates the valuable exchange with other parents and the possibility that the little ones are in good hands there. “It’s nice to see how friendships develop that last beyond the time at the center,” says Janine.

Nathalie (33) and her son Erich (6 months) are also often found at the family center. They enjoy the diverse play options the center offers, such as a ball pit and a climbing wall. According to Bettina Archut (63), the coordinator of the family center, networks and friendships play a crucial role: “Here parents make connections that often last a lifetime.” With weekly meetings that cover various topics such as child development and tot sports, the family center offers a retreat for many families.

Important offers and support

The family center in Wusterhausen is a place for intercultural exchange. It acts as an open meeting place for families and offers a family café and toddler groups. The activities offered include exercise and play opportunities that are adapted to the needs of parents and children. “We have workshops on family topics and even direct advice on educational and development-related content,” explains Bettina Archut.

However, the planned restructuring of the offering in the district is causing nervousness. From 2026, the district administration only wants to finance mobile family support. The reason: A “change of perspective” to reach more families. Over 5,500 visits were counted in Wusterhausen and Kyritz alone in 2024. However, parents fear that without a fixed meeting place, the important social exchange will be lost. In order to make their voices heard, affected parents are already collecting signatures against the closure of the family center. To date, over 60 signatures have been collected in Wusterhausen.

The look into the future

The district council's youth welfare committee will discuss the planned reorganization of child and family welfare in mid-September. The discussion about closure shows once again how important these centers are for social cohesion. As is known from the experiences of children and family centers in other German cities, such as Frankfurt, families need such contact points. These centers not only offer space for exchange, but also valuable educational and support services.

"We would like our family center to continue to exist. It is a safe space for discussions with parents and children's interactions," says Bettina Archut and appeals to decision-makers not to lose sight of the importance of the centers. For the future, it is to be hoped that the parents' voices will be heard and the valuable work of the family centers in Wusterhausen and Kyritz can be maintained.