Travel without a suitcase: Careleaver get new opportunities in Potsdam!

Travel without a suitcase: Careleaver get new opportunities in Potsdam!

Last Monday, workshops on travel pedagogy and integration assistance took place in Cologne, which illuminate a pioneering concept for young people who come from the care system. Employees of the AWO Careleaverzentrum (Calz) took part in the event and presented their valuable work. It was discussed how the Calz designs the transition for "Careleaver", i.e. young people and young adults who leave the care system behind. This group often has no family support and faces the challenge of living independently.

The Calz offers orientation and support that are often missing in conventional institutions. The workshops were an opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss approaches that aim to convey a feeling of structure and support to young people. The aim is to help them develop in a stable relationship context that does not replace the family but offers important foundation.

travel projects as support

An exciting part of this approach are the travel projects that represent a special form of inpatient individual measures. As a rule, 1: 1 support is guaranteed by qualified educational specialists. Wellenbrecher e.V. has such travel projects on offer that are carried out not only in Germany, but also abroad. The aim of these trips is not only the clarification of the current life situation of the participants, but also the promotion of judgment, decision -making and a sense of responsibility.

The duration of these projects is about 8 to 12 weeks, and participation is voluntary, which gives young people the opportunity to actively work on their own development. In addition, such trips also serve as crisis intervention in tense social situations that many young people often experience. The educators involved rely on individual and experience education to motivate young adults and to support them in their way to an independent life, which is often a great challenge.

On Tuesday after the workshops, the film “In principle family” was shown in the Thalia - the program cinema Potsdam. The subsequent discussion, supported by Marie Thiele from the AWO Child and Youth Welfare, offered the participants the opportunity to gain deeper insights into the topic and to exchange ideas with others.

The workshops and events show that new opportunities and approaches are sought to meet young adults' challenges in the transition to independence. It seems as if this area is facing an exciting process.

The specific goals and functions of travel pedagogy reports at a glance that a resource-oriented perspective is pursued here that enables young people to recognize their limits and act independently. This type of foresight and support could turn out to be pioneering for many in the long term.

The events and the associated information are essential to help young people to improve their living conditions and take responsibility for their own lives. So it becomes clear that despite all the challenges there are also numerous opportunities that need to be used.