Commitment Brings People Together

On November 25, 2024, a warm donation ceremony took place at the Kolping Center Wiesbaden-Zentral. The Kolping Family of Wiesbaden-Zentral had officially extended invitations to this special event, which drew great interest from around 30 members and guests that evening. The room was lovingly decorated, and each table was set with delicious pretzels and Spundekäs, creating a cozy atmosphere.

After opening remarks by the president, Mr. Stefan Fink, the event turned into an inspiring evening, during which many of the guests in attendance were already familiar with upstairs due to their personal involvement.

Over the course of the evening, upstairs staff members Patrick Lahr (Regional Director of EVIM Youth Services), Truc-Quynhv Vo, and Sandra Lauterbach (upstairs) had the opportunity to present the project, which is funded entirely by donations. The lively exchange that ensued was particularly impressive: Many of the guests in attendance were already familiar with upstairs and showed great interest in the project’s current challenges and successes. Topics such as the important work with at-risk youth, the challenges of youth welfare, and the importance of low-threshold support were discussed in depth.

Even before the event, the dedicated Kolping women had raised funds through their traditional cookie sale. The delicious cookies, which they had baked themselves, sold well, and the proceeds—an impressive 700 euros—were donated in full to the upstairs project. This support came at just the right time, especially in light of the recent vandalism targeting the upstairs mobile unit.

The event culminated in a festive ceremony during which Mr. Stefan Fink and Isolde Zindel (Brauchtumspflege) presented the donation check. This generous donation will continue to support the “upstairs” project in its vital work of offering protection and hope to young people facing difficult life circumstances.

It was an evening that once again highlighted the strong commitment of the Kolping Family Wiesbaden-Zentral and the importance of solidarity and community. We thank everyone who made this valuable support possible, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration to make a difference together.