Brückensteine Careleaver

Not leaving you alone

Our initiative is committed to improving the transition of young people with experience of youth welfare and foster care into their independent grown-up lives.

Zwei Freundinnen mit Jugendhilfeerfahrung

About us

Learn about our vision and what we do

Portrait zweier Careleaver-Freunde im Botanischen Garten

The Dimensions

In 2019 there were 227.000 placements in Germany of children and adolescents in homes or foster families. This is probably the most intensive welfare intervention in the lives of young people. The majority have to move out at the age of 18 and are completely on their own without any family support.

In contrast to:
On average, young people in Germany only start their job training at the age of 19.9 and leave their parents' home at 23.7. 86% of students receive financial support from their parents.

Die 10 Teilnehmer*innen des Careleaver-Fotoshootings posieren vor einer bunten Graffitiwand

Workshop des Careleaver-Zentrum Thüringen Sitzkreis

Our Projects

On these »bridge stones« we build

Our projects are called »Brückensteinprojekte«. This literally translates to bridge stone projects. Our projects are multifaceted – just like the challenges that care leavers face. Each project contributes to a better transition for care leavers – through individual support for care leavers, for their self-organisation or training for professionals. Each »Brückensteinpartner« contributes their strengths. In this way, a great whole is created: a bridge is built from bridge stones.

About us

Our Vision

We want everyone to have a fair chance to realise their potential on their way to adult life. Care leavers, like all young people, are part of our shared future and should be given the same means and opportunities to help shape it.

Our approach

What do we do?

Our initiative Brückensteine Careleaver was launched in April 2019. We are an association of various organisations working together to improve the situation of care leavers and to achieve a collective, positive impact in the field of Leaving Care through our projects.

Partners & Sponsors

Who is involved?

We believe that we can only make a difference if we combine our strengths and competencies and work together towards our goals. This is why a large number of partners are collaborating on the initiative.

Careleaver der Digital Native Generation mit Smartphone und Earpods

Sechs junge Careleaver blicken von einem Balkon hinunter Richtung Kamera

Briefpapier und Computer als Symbolbild für Kontaktmöglichkeiten

Participate and…

Collaborate with us!

Everyone can make social change happen! You work with care leavers or are a care leaver? Or you fund projects in the field? Please get in touch if you are interested in a dialogue and international exchange. Many challenges faced by care leavers are global and not limited to specific countries – so is the potential for change!