Second clearing house goes into operation
The second clearing house was opened today at Friedrich-Hähnel-Straße 9. 40 unaccompanied foreign minors moved into their new home. They lent a hand themselves to support the move from Reichenhainer Straße, formerly the "Haus des Sports".
The operator of this clearing house, Heim gGmbH, attaches great importance to creating a family atmosphere in the house. The young people therefore now live in five small groups together with a reference counsellor and a team leader. In this way, the organisation aims to offer a residential structure that promotes positive social interaction and active participation in everyday life. The young people are involved in the daily routine right from the start. With equal rights and duties for all residents. It is possible for everyone to eat lunch together in a dining room. The food is delivered and the young people will serve themselves in future. Breakfast and dinner will also be organised by the residents themselves.
"The be-all and end-all of living together is learning German," says Sebastian Schmidt, authorised signatory of Heim gGmbH. He can see that the young foreigners are predominantly very interested in the lessons. "Previous knowledge and prerequisites vary greatly from individual to individual, but that's exactly where we come in with our staggered programme of lessons," says Sebastian Schmidt. It has to be recognised that some of them, in addition to the daily German courses at the centre, also take additional courses with other providers.
A football pitch on the outdoor area of the Clearing House and initiatives from Chemnitz sports clubs offer the young people good opportunities to settle in and grow together through sport. There have already been experiences, contacts and activities at the Reichenhainer Straße centre. Whether cycling, basketball, football or floorball - sport draws no boundaries between different nationalities.
The fact that some of the staff have a migrant background has proven to be an advantage in their day-to-day work. Two employees who came to Germany as refugees themselves years ago know the situation of the young people from their own experience. They have been employed as language mediators at Heim gGmbH. With their help, many a comprehension problem can be cleared up.
Nevertheless, Sebastian Schmidt and Heim gGmbH Managing Director Karl Friedrich Schmerer realise that running the clearing house is a challenge. It can only be mastered with a good and committed team. "We are proud and grateful for the achievements of our employees and volunteers to date and are certain that we will continue to do a good job," says Karl Friedrich Schmerer.