Youth center in Bobenheim-Roxheim remains closed until autumn!

Youth center in Bobenheim-Roxheim remains closed until autumn!

Bobenheim-Roxheim, Deutschland - The youth center in Bobenheim-Roxheim is expected to remain closed by autumn 2025. This decision is related to the departure of the long-standing youth worker Peter Knab, who has been responsible for open child and youth work in the region for decades. At the moment, the positions for youth care have not yet been advertised, which makes the reopening of the center uncertain in the near future. As Rheinpfalz , the closure is a challenge for the local community, which is dependent on the offers of the youth center.

In Germany, however, youth centers play an increasingly important role in child and youth welfare. The need for such institutions was again emphasized by the results of a nationwide survey by the German Youth Institute (DJI). This survey, which was carried out in 2017/2018 and took part in the 1,350 youth centers, identified several major challenges in open child and youth work.

challenges in open child and youth work

According to the study, some of the central challenges are as follows:

• Availability of refugee children and adolescents
• Inclusion for young people with disabilities
• Advice for children and adolescents
• Preservation of your own profile in afternoon care
• Visibility of voluntary engagement
• Personnel recovery
• Ensuring financial resources
• Support from municipal youth work/youth care

The study emphasizes that the relevance of these challenges is reinforced by political plans and changes in the law. The Children's and Youth strengthening Act (KJSG) aims at an inclusive child and youth welfare, while the all-day development law (GAFÖG) gradually introduces a legal claim to all-day care from 2026. The accessibility of refugee young people is particularly urgent, especially in the context of the Ukraine War, which makes the role of the youth centers even more important as an integration place.

For many youth centers, including those in Bobenheim-Roxheim, support from additional projects and municipal youth work is considered necessary. The shortage of skilled workers remains a continued challenge, as the study shows. The voluntary commitment of young people is highlighted as an important resource.

Overall, the DJI's survey shows that the open child and youth work faces pressing tasks. The results of the nationwide survey are discussed in detail in the publication "challenges of open child and youth work. Empirical knowledge", which was written by Andreas Mairhofer and his team. This study offers an extensive analysis of the current developments and supports the specialists in the important work in the youth field. Further information can be found on the website of the DJIS, as can be found in an article about the results of the survey at djs website are.