social
Steinmeier: Efforts for the homeless still necessary
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender talk to employees of the new children’s academy of the Berlin City Mission in the center at the zoo. photo
© Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
Officially, there are around 2,000 homeless people in Berlin – but the number of unreported cases is likely to be higher. A new center at the zoo offers help – and should also enable more exchange.
When visiting a meeting place for poor people in Berlin, the Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier emphasizes how important such offers of support are. “Our efforts against homelessness must not let up,” said the head of state on Friday in the so-called center at the zoo of the Berlin City Mission. Some people in Germany live under circumstances that are hard to imagine for many, said Steinmeier, emphasizing: “We need meeting places where people from different social milieus can meet.”
In the center at the zoo, people affected by poverty can get help from psychologists, social workers and volunteers – such as seniors who suffer from poverty in old age or the homeless. According to the city mission, between 50 and 60 people take advantage of the offers every week. The rooms are located in a former police station in the Zoologischer Garten train station building. The center is also intended as a meeting place and is used for cultural events.
Sometimes there is not enough money to go to the toilet
During their visit, Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender handed out certificates to school children who had previously taken part in the so-called Children’s Academy – a week-long holiday course run by the city mission on the subject of poverty and homelessness. In the program, the children met, among others, Marcel Starke, who lived on the streets for 13 years. “I’ve had difficult times,” said the 34-year-old, who struggled to regain his composure at times. He had just moved into a dorm a few weeks ago. In the center at the zoo, people treated him with humanity and empathy. He appreciates that very much.
Nine-year-old course participant Jelle said he was particularly impressed by learning how homeless people have to manage their money. For example, visiting a public toilet that is subject to a charge must be carefully considered. “One euro doesn’t make a difference for us,” said Jelle. According to the city mission, around 2,000 homeless people were counted in Berlin in a census from 2021. However, there is a very high number of unreported cases, which is why the actual number of homeless people is higher.