Fight against child poverty: Offenbach's path to more equal opportunities!

Fight against child poverty: Offenbach's path to more equal opportunities!

Offenbach - the city that is constantly changing and attracting young families is confronted with a sad reality. Life is often a challenge, especially for families with a migrant background. Families often live in cramped conditions - for example in a three-room apartment with several siblings - which makes it difficult for the children to find suitable learning and leisure opportunities. This makes it clear that not only is the quality of life in the city increasing in Offenbach, but social problems are also increasing at the same time. The FAZ reports that the Offenbach magistrate has initiated an action plan to improve the living conditions for children and their families.

A central goal of this plan is to offer children and young people opportunities directly in their surroundings. An example of successful integration and violence prevention work is the Nordend boxing club. This has developed from a youth center and, in addition to sporting activities, also offers tutoring. There is no question that such initiatives are crucial for improving social conditions.

The vision of the city

Local politics in Offenbach also focuses on expanding youth centers into family centers. The aim is to also address parents and include them in the activities. The city is also pursuing an ambitious renovation and new construction program for schools and daycare centers. But this progress comes at a price: Offenbach suffers from a dire financial situation that can be traced back to the decline of old industries. Mandatory expenses due to federal laws place an additional heavy burden on the city.

Despite these challenges, the new action plan recognizes that simply building schools and daycare centers is not enough to combat the consequences of child poverty. The problem is complex and requires a holistic approach. Focus must also be placed on the social and cultural resources needed to improve the living conditions of the affected families.

Focus on youth participation

In a further step, the participation of young people will be specifically promoted as part of the “Offenbach becomes active” project. This project consists of several phases aimed at listening to young people's voices and activating their ideas. Pedagogical specialists use participatory methods to offer young people a safe space in which they can express their wishes and interests. The first phase has already begun and the topics that are important for the young people are being worked out in a playful way.

The Youth Action Program Participation makes it clear that it is important to sensitize adults to the concerns of young people. Therefore, workshops and specialist and action days are part of the plan, which aim to win adults as supporters of the young people's ideas. Only if all generations listen to one another can the deep-rooted cycle of poverty be broken.

Tackling social inequalities

The challenge facing Offenbach's city politics is not new. Social inequalities and exclusions in childhood have long since become a central political issue. An analysis by bpb on this topic makes it clear that the risk of social exclusion among children is increasing due to the so-called “material, educational and skills poverty”. Children from single-parent households and those with a migration history who often live in households where there are several children are particularly affected - this also increases the risk of poverty.

The road to improving the situation is long and it will take a lot of energy to effectively combat child poverty. The high poverty rate among school children and young people is particularly alarming. Educational opportunities are severely impaired by material poverty - and this always brings with it new challenges. Offenbach has recognized that it is time for action and is boldly breaking new ground - with projects that involve both children and adults so that everyone can look to a better future.