House of Meeting in Kirchehrenbach: Certificate as a place of hope”!

House of Meeting in Kirchehrenbach: Certificate as a place of hope”!

“A place of hope” – that was the title House of meeting officially awarded in Kirchehrenbach on October 25, 2025. Alfons Galster presented a certificate of recognition at the weekly VG Café, which was presented on behalf of the cathedral captain Martin Emge. This honor recognizes the diverse efforts of the house, which has been taken over by the local administrative community.

The House of Encounter, a neighborhood project of the Caritas Association Bamberg-Forchheim, is well established and has numerous offers that bring people of all ages together. These include the VG Café, mother-child groups, picture book cinema, story theater, painting courses and numerous other activities that promote harmonious coexistence. The community from Kirchehrenbach, Leutenbach and Weilersbach was actively committed to this concept.

A place for all generations

The presentation of the certificate is also a sign of thanks to everyone who works tirelessly for the House of Encounter. In his speech, cathedral captain Emge emphasized the high level of acceptance of the facility and emphasized that the desire for such a place was strongly anchored among the residents. Particular attention was drawn to the late Pope Francis' desire to make the Holy Year 2025 a year of hope.

Peter Ehmann, board member of the Bamberg-Forchheim District Caritas Association, looked back on the development of the project, which not only functions as a meeting place, but also actively contributes to the integration of refugees. Support for Ukrainian refugees is offered through helper groups, and a variety of low-threshold relief options have been created for seniors, such as care groups, discussion groups and regular courses on fall prevention.

Networking and engagement

The house is breaking new ground in community work with a variety of formats. Among other things, multi-generational projects were launched that activate citizens' engagement. The house also cooperates with schools to organize reading campaigns and provide information about topics such as healthy eating Caritas Bamberg-Forchheim.

The positive feedback on the offers is noticeable, which also contributed to the awarding of the Bavarian Innovation Prize “Zuhause Daheim”. Ulrike Scharf, Bavarian State Minister, praised the implementation of self-determination, dignity and participation in the house. “A very good step in the right direction,” she concluded.

The handover of the house to the local administrative community should continue to contribute to the challenges in the region being overcome together in the future. Therefore, everyone involved deserves a big thank you for their tireless commitment and valuable contributions to a lively coexistence.

The House of Encounter is more than just a building; it is a vibrant place that forms the heart of the community and promotes collaboration between different generations and cultures. The commitment here shows how a good knack for meeting the needs of people in the area can make a real difference.

A visit is worth it for anyone who is interested in getting to know what the house has to offer. There is always something to discover here and everyone is welcome to become part of this vibrant community.