Gießen train station mission: hopelessness after over 100 years of help!

Gießen train station mission: hopelessness after over 100 years of help!

The closure of the Giessen station mission at the end of August caused a stir in the city and social media. After more than a century of operation, the people in need of help in Giessen now have to face new challenges.

The Regional Diakonie Gießen justified the drastic decision due to internal restructuring and the loss of important funds that were financed through lottery income. These changes have resulted in the resources necessary to maintain the station mission no longer being available. The head of the social affairs department, Francesco Arman (SPD), now explained that the rescue attempts made so far have failed. Despite the city's best efforts to secure long-term financing, there was no result.

Failed rescue attempts

Arman said that after the closure plans were announced, numerous discussions were held with various civil society actors, private individuals and other welfare associations. However, the consensus came to the conclusion that only Caritas and Diakonie can operate the station mission, due to “evolved historical structures”. The station management also requested that these two charities run the institution.

The station mission previously served 40 to 50 people every day, who could receive a warm meal and clothing there. To continue the mission, around 100,000 euros would have been necessary annually. An amount that should be used, among other things, for the remuneration of a full-time position, reimbursement of expenses for volunteers and materials. So far, Diakonie has borne most of the costs, but support from Caritas of just 10,000 euros was not enough.

Despite the divided commitment of both charities, it was impossible to secure the amount required to continue operations. Various proposals to create an association or initiate fundraising campaigns were unsuccessful because they could not guarantee the necessary reliable financing. Even discussions between the associations at a nationwide level did not lead to the desired success.

Future without a station mission

In view of this situation, the Regional Diakonie's outreach street social work will in future try to cover the needs of people seeking help at the train station. As part of the Housing First project, a new position will be created that will be jointly financed by the city and district. This measure is intended to help close the gap caused by the closure of the station mission.

Arman regrets the closure and says the city did everything it could to save the station mission. Unfortunately, the necessary conditions for this were not present, and ultimately responsibility for the failed financing did not lie in the city's hands. The discussions and plans so far have not brought the hoped-for success, and the station mission remains closed.

For further information about the background to the closure and the reactions from the city society, see the current reporting on www.giessener- Allgemeine.de.