Great Since 2001 – 25 Years of the Jan-Niemöller-Haus in Schierstein

Representatives from the neighborhood, the Erich Kästner School, the Storchengemeinschaft, and the Schierstein weekly market were in attendance. Volunteers, the facility’s advisory board, and former Federal Minister Hannelore Rönsch celebrated together with residents, family members, and staff. 

Facility Director Daniel Eichner and Nursing Director Jana Meinke welcomed the guests in the festively decorated garden. The team had been preparing an impressive buffet since early that morning. For Daniel Eichner, it was a wonderful opportunity to express special thanks to the staff: “You invest far more than just your working hours—you invest your lives.” The focus, he said, is always on the people the facility is there to serve.

A home that belongs to Schierstein

EVIM Board Member Jörg Wiegand picked up on the anniversary motto, “Great Since 2001.” Much has changed in 25 years, he said—but this motto still holds true. Where a river engineer barracks once stood, a home for older people in need of care who face special circumstances was built after the Bundeswehr withdrew. This anniversary celebration in particular shows just how deeply rooted the Jan-Niemöller-Haus has become in Schierstein.

A long-time supporter from the very beginning is former Federal Minister Hannelore Rönsch. She had helped launch the project back then together with the EVIM board at the time. “We were infinitely grateful that it worked out,” she recalled. After all, there was no senior center in Schierstein back then. To this day, she remains committed to the facility and has made much of it possible through fundraising and sponsorship efforts. At the same time, she urged family members to appreciate the demanding work of caregiving. “We always remain children and parents.”

Hubertus Kraner from the Stork Community summed up just how closely the facility is connected to its surroundings: “The Jan-Niemöller-Haus and the storks—they simply belong together.” Lectures, field trips, and many shared activities define the partnership—and the Schierstein storks have long since found their symbolic place in the facility.

The partnership with the neighboring Erich Kästner School has also become an established fixture. Principal Dirk Mlaka praised the collaboration, which has been in place for five years. He noted that young people can learn something here that isn’t in any textbook: listening to older people, paying attention to their needs, and taking time for one another. As a birthday gift, the school presented homemade honey.

Volker Birk conveyed the congratulations of the Ortsring. Representatives of the Schierstein weekly market from neighboring Hans-Römer-Platz also offered their congratulations. The uncomplicated camaraderie and mutual support are a “wonderful story”: “We’re glad to have this partnership.”

Connected for Many Years

The story of Mr. Schmitt illustrates what a senior center close to home can mean for families. His wife has been living at the Jan-Niemöller-Haus for seven years. They had both envisioned their retirement together differently. However, after a stroke of misfortune, caring for her at home was no longer possible. That’s why the facility’s proximity is especially important to him: He visits his wife regularly and takes her on walks in her wheelchair. At the birthday celebration, the two clearly enjoyed their afternoon together.

Special recognition was also given to two employees who have been with the facility since it opened: Bärbel Diefenbach and Günter Scholtz. Bärbel Diefenbach started as a student, completed her vocational training, continued her education, and took on various management roles. Today she works in social services. Günter Scholtz can look back on 46 years in nursing care and will retire next year.

Heartfelt thanks were also extended to Jochem Creutzer, who served on the facility’s advisory board as a volunteer for 16 years and served as its chair. Manfred Beitz, in turn, has been treating residents to special outings for the past ten years as a volunteer, taking them on rides in the popular bicycle rickshaw.

And a birthday wouldn’t be a birthday without music and surprises: Rick Cheyenne, who has grown particularly fond of the facility, livened up the party. Two clowns, who have been visiting the living areas regularly for years, brought their own special brand of cheer. The youngest children from the Känguru preschool stopped by, and the dance group from TG Schierstein wowed the audience. (hk)