The AWO has been advising young migrants in Geretsried for over ten years.
Contact person Katherine Schreyer-Keil takes stock before she retires.
Geretsried – At first it was late resettlers, then migrant workers from the European Union, later people from Syria and, for the last year, especially from Afghanistan and Ukraine, who have been looking for help from the youth migration service (JMD) of the Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO).
The counseling center in Geretsried has been in existence for over ten years.
And Katherine Schreyer-Keil has been there since the beginning.
The 64-year-old will retire at the end of April.
Her successor is Daniel Marschall, who has been the contact person in Hausham up to now.
The need has not stopped over the years.
Change at the AWO migration service - contact point for young adults in Geretsried
The JMD supports young migrants between the ages of twelve and 27.
"The majority are young adults," explains Schreyer-Keil.
Most of the time it is about studying, looking for an apprenticeship or job, but also about financial support, language courses and professional recognition.
Housing shortages are also often an issue.
But "I can hardly help there," says the social worker with a view to the tense housing market.
The number of clients per year is relatively stable at around 120. What has changed: "The support I used to give could be implemented quickly." The cases are now more lengthy because more topics come together.
For example, because the newcomers have fewer school years and find it difficult in German.
Due to the unexpected events of the corona pandemic and the Ukraine war, the young adults would have to wait longer for a place in a vocational school, integration or language course.
"The carriers try very hard, but skilled workers are difficult to find," says Schreyer-Keil.
And after months of uncertainty, it is tough for clients to get back into learning.
Read the latest news from Geretsried here.
Young migrants need more opportunities
What the migration advisor would like for the district would be more opportunities for young people.
In Munich, for example, there is a good project for those who cannot be placed in existing public educational opportunities.
An association supports them from literacy to the world of work.
"With us, the offer has its limits," regrets Schreyer-Keil.
In addition to providing advice, one of her tasks is to organize projects at schools in the districts of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen and Miesbach, which are funded by the Ministry for Family Affairs.
In cooperation with the school social workers, she selects the group work that suits the students' topics.
This can be an additional language and communication offer, biographical work or qualification training.
Recently there was socio-educational kickboxing in a facility.
"Because the students are no longer physically active and are difficult to motivate."
The city of Geretsried provides financial support for the AWO youth migration service
Her work, says Schreyer-Keil, is very varied.
After graduating, she worked in a transitional hostel.
Through the late repatriate counseling service, she came to support integration courses and finally to the JMD.
In Geretsried, she particularly appreciates that the city is open to integration.
"The city is financing the JMD with a project, without which we could not implement it," adds Semra Yazan-Bachmayr, head of the department.
This also makes it possible to promote German at the Geretsried secondary schools, which is integrated into everyday school life.
The cooperation with all cooperation partners works very well.
Schreyer-Keil: "I've always enjoyed my work."
info
The youth migration service of the AWO has offices in Geretsried, Bad Tölz and Hausham.
The migration advice for adults is based in Wolfratshausen.
Contacts for arranging appointments can be found online at www.awo-kreisverband-miesbach.de/migrationsberatung/.
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