Relationships or Organizations - Hamburg's social services are reaching their capacity.
In recent times, due to mounting financial struggles among families and the growing vulnerability of children, youth, and young adults, welfare organizations are steering away from their primary educational roles. Sandra Berkling, deputy head of the Association of Free Welfare Organizations (AGFW), commented on this matter, stating, "The urgent issues (...) are really dominating the discussions." It's no longer about educational advice; now, it's just about capturing the concerns of families who can't sustainably provide for themselves.
Making matters worse, the Hamburg administration is notoriously slow in processing social benefit applications and is notoriously hard to reach.
Berkling's observations are echoed by counseling centers in Hamburg as well as data from the Parity Welfare Association's Poverty Report. The report reveals a dramatic increase in poverty risk for children and young people, which has risen from 21.0% to 26.3% compared to the previous year. For families with multiple children, the risk of sinking into poverty has shot up from 28.2% to 40.1%.
As evidence of the worsening situation, more and more children and young people are availing themselves of institutions like children's and family centers that provide additional means of sustenance. Unfortunately, the support these institutions offer is falling short of what is needed, with complaints coming from their representatives.
Gabi Brasch, the head of Diakonisches Werk Hamburg, was more blunt in her assessment. She expressed that the system is under tremendous strain and the institutions can't provide their usual services. She urged for more resources to cope with the mounting needs. "If they can handle it, then we've already achieved a lot in Hamburg," she added.
Despite the pressing situation, Brasch criticized the proposed child allowance as inadequate. She urged Hamburg to take action first and bolster the institutions by increasing their operational and staff expenses. "The city must finally realize that there is a critical need for counseling and support in child and youth welfare," she stressed.
Berkling echoed Brasch's sentiments, demanding, "Hamburg must recognize that there are both existential and counseling needs in child and youth welfare."
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- Despite Hamburg's renowned social institutions like the fire department and children's and family centers, the rising poverty rates among children and families are pushing these organizations to their limits.
- The Association of Free Welfare Organizations (AGFW) and counseling centers in Hamburg have observed a significant increase in poverty risk, especially among families with multiple children, which emphasizes the need for additional support and resources.
- Gabi Brasch, the head of Diakonisches Werk Hamburg, emphasized that Germany's social institutions are under tremendous strain and urged Hamburg to increase operational and staff expenses, which would help cope with the mounting needs of children and families.
- In response to the critical situation, both Sandra Berkling and Gabi Brasch have stressed the need for Hamburg to recognize and address both the existential and counseling needs in child and youth welfare, which would ensure that families in poverty receive the necessary assistance.
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