Finally open again: young people are happily walking through the youth center (JuZ) in Poing.
They can finally meet again - and talk to those who are very important to them.
Poing
- The pool table and the ping pong table are very busy - despite the mask.
Almost like in a beer garden, the twelve to 16 year olds sit outside at the new tables and sofas, talking and laughing.
The youth center has reopened a few days under the leadership of Katharina Schwab and Robin Grausdies.
While the rush was rather meager in the first few days, as word of the opening had to get around first, according to Schwab it was already "busy" with 20 visitors from last Saturday.
Young people missed the conversation with the leaders
What the youngsters have been looking forward to the most since the lockdown: “Kathi and Robin see you again”, two youngsters immediately shouted boldly.
They would have liked to talk about the JuZ and its two managers over and over again during the entire lockdown time, at the meeting on the playground, in the park or under the underpass.
Schwab and Grausdies have tried in recent months to stay in touch with the young people via video conferences and WhatsApp.
But: "Youth work needs presence" says Grausdies.
Especially after a whole day of online lessons, the young people were happy to get away from the screen a little.
Schwab still remembers the first opening days.
Several young people came to her and shouted: "Kathi, I have to tell you about the last seven months first," said Schwab.
It is important for young people - apart from teachers and parents - to have other adult contacts.
Pedagogical Director: The youth lack the lobby
This is also confirmed by Thorsten Gürntke, the educational director of the Poingen youth department.
According to him, politicians have completely forgotten about the young people in their measures.
"Young people are not just students, they also have needs," he clarifies.
The JuZ is constantly busy transferring the latest infection protection measures to youth work, as no consideration was given to them.
Accordingly, one application for approval and relaxation is issued from him after the other.
The youth simply lack a lobby.
According to Grausides, the first holiday programs are already planned again from August, such as a five-day “holiday leisure time” or “Jubiza” (a mixture of JuZ and Ibiza) as a holiday program in the region.
Other events, such as foosball tournaments, had been considered by then, but the JuZ team quickly realized: "First of all, they want to finally sit down, talk and arrive together again," said Schwab.
First of all, it is important to listen to the needs of young people and to take them seriously.
Because these have remained unheard for too long.
When asked what the young people want in the JuZ, they answer promptly: fewer masks and safety distances, longer opening times and a full range of food again, such as french fries or pizza.
Because at the moment the JuZ is only allowed to offer sweets.
The JuZ team is now trying to gradually fulfill these wishes with its applications.
But despite the current protective measures, Grausdies noted with relief: "Joy dominates".