As well-known as a colorful bus—Upstairs is celebrating its birthday: 25 years of helping young people in need
“Upstairs is exactly the safety net that caught me when all the government safety nets had long since failed,” reads a sign in the small exhibition created by participants in the EVIM youth support program to mark its anniversary. And “Upstairs is simply family! They were there for me more than my own family was.” The youth services program recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with partners, supporters, and city officials, enjoying coffee and cake, music, and a panel discussion. Upstairs is “as well-known as a colorful bus” in Wiesbaden, said the mayor. No wonder, because the colorful bus—the mobile outreach center—actually exists; it’s an eye-catcher and the hallmark on the edge of the Reisinger Anlage.
Need Identified Early
EVIM launched the low-threshold youth welfare project in 2001 after repeatedly identifying a need for such services in its day-to-day youth welfare work. Adolescents and young adults who were already homeless or at risk of homelessness were encountered with increasing frequency: kicked out of their homes or separated from a partner, with no understanding of the assistance offered by the authorities, or even afraid to seek help. There was plenty of distress, and quick, empathetic help was needed. So, initially, a drop-in center was set up in a building at An der alten Synagoge. This had to be abandoned for various reasons; it became clear that they needed to get “closer” to the target group. A first, colorfully decorated “upstairs” bus was purchased in 2008 and stationed at the Reisinger Anlagen, right in the heart of Wiesbaden. Various overnight accommodations were sought throughout Wiesbaden, and some were found; however, the need for such “emergency shelters” remains high even today.
A Colorful RV as a Trademark
Then, in 2013, the colorful RV arrived—designed by young people. The idea behind it: “If life is already dreary and gray, the hope for help should be colorful.” The upstairs RV is always there; it’s a permanent fixture in the cityscape, and someone is on hand during specific opening hours. What makes upstairs unique is the unbureaucratic help and support it offers, regardless of jurisdictional boundaries. Anyone can come during opening hours and is welcome. Above all, there are people here who listen—and who don’t judge. “We’re responsible until someone else takes over,” is their motto. They managed to weather even the difficult COVID-19 period and, shortly thereafter, opened a “Clearinghouse for Young Homeless People” in cooperation with the state capital of Wiesbaden, funded by the European Social Fund through 2027. There, young people can not only spend the night but also stay for a while, do laundry, work on their future prospects, and get a mailing address. The anniversary celebration, expertly hosted by Micha Spannaus, featured not only many congratulations from politicians and long-standing partners and supporters of the project—which is funded entirely by donations and requires approximately 300,000 euros annually— but also an exhibition created by the residents—together with the upstairs team—that provided insights into the life circumstances that led them to seek help at upstairs.
It can happen very quickly
It can happen quickly, unexpectedly. In fact, the project is a “thorn in the side,” according to Mayor Mende. For in affluent Wiesbaden, there are social divides and situations of need that people “prefer to ignore.” “We don’t want to let anyone down,” said Mende—but we rely on expert assistance from organizations like EVIM. “We still need you,” he said in his congratulatory speech. Actually, according to Klaus Friedrich, Executive Director of Youth Services, “we need to make ourselves obsolete—but the work continues.” So they want to keep being there for young people who need help, assist them according to their needs, and, above all, listen to them first and foremost. After all, everyone who comes in brings their own situation with them; everyone is different. Team leader Trucy Vo brought her four-person team onto the stage and thanked them very warmly. She said the work is meaningful and necessary. Well over 100 young people seek help here every year. And Esther Wagner highlighted the excellent collaboration with the upstairs team. This was confirmed by all staff members in the department, and the head of social services at the State Capital’s Office of Social Work praised upstairs’s professional expertise during the panel discussion.
Two clients from previous years shared their positive, formative experiences with upstairs: Alex lost his housing at age 18; after having many bad experiences with government agencies, he googled who could help him and came across upstairs. “Here, they found me a place to stay within 45 minutes.” He learned “what good social work can achieve.” That’s why he’s now studying social work himself. Martin found himself on the street 11 years ago after undergoing surgery and going through a breakup. The tea room referred him to upstairs. There, he was shown paths he could take. “Today I lead a happy life,” he says; he has a job and is married. EVIM Chairman Matthias Loyal thanked the team and the long-time donors and sponsors, including, for example, Gerald Kink from the Hotel Oranien. “Please donate,” he urged. “One hundred percent of the donation goes to the cause.” (abp/hk) Photos: P. Müller/A. Schlote)
Donation account:
Bank für Sozialwirtschaft
IBAN: DE02 3702 0500 0004 6010 00
BIC: BFSWDE33XXX