After seven years, street worker Michael Mock left the supporting association for youth and social work in Geretsried. He looks back in the interview.
Geretsried - social pedagogue Mock comes from North Rhine-Westphalia. The 52-year-old is now looking for a new professional challenge. In an interview with our newspaper, he looks back on the time in Geretsried.
Mr. Mock, you wanted to stay in Geretsried for two or three years. This has turned into seven.
Working in the field of mobile youth work and street work was exactly my thing. There I was able to use my communicative and constructive skills in the important contact and relationship work. I really enjoyed the outreach work with the youth, and it was a daily adventure to see whom and where and what can be developed from it.
You are an extrovert type. Did you find it easy to find access to the Geretsried youths?
As a Rhenish happy nature, it was very easy for me to make humorous contact and find lasting access. For many young people it was a new experience to meet an adult with an accepting basic attitude at eye level, who treats them trustfully with respect and tolerance, who takes them seriously and appreciates how they are.
How do Geretsried youths tick about alcohol and drugs?
The young people in Geretsried behave in this point in exactly the same way as everywhere else in the Federal Republic. There are no significant differences between districts, schools or social classes.
What topics do Geretsried youths deal with on the street?
The same topics that all adolescents have on their development path. Central to this are the detachment from home, coping with conflicts, topics related to school and education, of course also dealing with addictive substances, difficulties with legal violations and - luckily rare - problems with residents. The young people I worked with just like to spend their free time with like-minded people at meeting points in public spaces.
In the 2019 annual report, you spoke of a long-awaited generation change in public space.
Between 2014 and 2016 there was a big boom in mobile youth work with an unbelievable number of interactions with the target groups. Since 2017, the number of contacts has decreased noticeably and, fortunately, only increased again in 2019 due to a new generation of young people.
They wanted to set up a regular soccer meeting without any pressure to perform. Did you succeed?
I was able to integrate the medium of football very well into my work in order to promote personal development and social behavior. At times there was a regular soccer meeting in Stein, like many small and three large tournaments. Most of the time, I just had a ball in my backpack and went to the sports and football fields to make new contacts or deepen existing connections.
In the summer of last year, a soccer tournament to promote respect and tolerance, teamwork and fair play was held in Stein. They had to cancel the tournament. What happened?
Five teams with about 35 players from Geretsried took part. Because of the great heat, the teams were provided with free mineral water and the playing time was shortened by drinking breaks in the shade. There was a fight and halfway through the tournament had to be canceled. In intensive conversations, the causes of the events could be reflected on and worked through, so that the participants could recognize and see their own contribution and the interactions in the conflict. This has opened our eyes and minds to constructive problem solving and behavioral improvement.
Has your work changed over the years?
In the first five years, significantly more young people were traveling in public spaces, and a lot has shifted to the private sector for various reasons. In recent times it has become much more difficult and arduous to find the target persons, to maintain stable relationships permanently and to support development steps sustainably.
What are the reasons in your opinion?
Part of it is certainly due to the increased use of media, but also partly because the police are very present in Geretsried. The adolescents naturally do not want to conflict with the law. We all know that this is not always easy at this stage of life.
Was there a case where you couldn't help?
A basic level of help is always possible. Just by paying attention to a person and their problems is an important support. Many simply need a person who accepts, understands, consoles or even encourages them. And of course there were also cases where there was not much to be done and the aid measures implemented were unsuccessful.
How do you remember Geretsried?
Very well. I felt very comfortable in the city and with the people living here. I was able to learn that there is very good coexistence, that conflicts are resolved well and that there is an open atmosphere.
You are looking for a new professional challenge. Have you already found it?
The corona pandemic is unfortunately also having an impact on the labor market. There are considerations and discussions about my professional future, but nothing has yet been signed.
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