Beyond the 18th birthday: Carinthia's support for Careleaver

Beyond the 18th birthday: Carinthia's support for Careleaver

In Carinthia you take an extraordinary way to help young adults who come from public youth welfare. Usually these so -called careleavers have to leave the facilities in which they grew up at the age of 18 and often lose any support. However, the special needs of these people are discussed here, which often come from difficult conditions.

The stories of many of these young people are characterized by blows of fate such as the loss of a parent due to illness or death, as well as experiences with alcoholism and violence. These circumstances mean that they are put into a foreign care, not because they are problematic, but because they need protection. This results in massive challenges on their way to adult life, which is due to the early separation of the usual social networks and on the other hand due to the difficulties of growing up.

unique approach in Carinthia

Matthias Liebenwein, head of department of the Diakonie de la Tour, describes the legal situation in the youth welfare system: "The support ends legally on his 18th birthday, but there is the option to be supported by the 21st." A problem arises when a young person says at the age of 18 that he no longer needs the support and then, often due to excessive demands, he cannot look back. However, Carinthia is aware that measures are needed nationwide to better support these young people.

The contact point in Klagenfurt is a safe port for many. Alex, 22 years old, and Milo, 24 years old, report on her difficulties. Alex says: "It is difficult to be grown up. There are so many things to do for which you need help." Both share their challenges and barriers that they have to overcome in everyday life, especially in the necessary self -organization after leaving the facility.

The basic idea of ​​this support is that there is no expiry date for help. Matthias Liebenwein explains: "The Careleaver starting positions are financed by the state of Carinthia and offer support without a time limit." It is a differentiated approach that aims to show the young people that they are not alone, especially during this critical transition phase.

The conditions in the facilities are often not ideal. Milo addresses the problems of equal treatment of different age groups within the facilities. "The same rules for all age groups create conflicts," he says. The behavior of the young people is often prejudiced, the stigma of "difficult to educate" does not let go.

realities of growing up

growing up does not only mean finding an apartment or getting a job. For many Careleaver, these challenges are also associated with a traumatic past that always germinates in everyday life. Alex indicates: "What I have to struggle with is to accept help and not always have to do everything alone." An important learning process that is not always easy. The feeling of not being enough or inadequate plagues many of the young adults who come from home education.

The contact points give you the opportunity to openly discuss your problems. "I am glad that there is this support," says Milo and says the direct access to social workers: "It is important to have someone who helps you and stands by your side." The encouragement of taking up help is Central to fight against the emotional and psychological stress, which many feel in this phase of self -discovery.

The Careleaver starting points in Villach and Klagenfurt are open to all young people who need support. Access to the premises does not require a pre -registration. The team consists of specialists who are specially trained to meet the requirements of these young adults.

The financial support of the State of Carinthia was possible to sustainably operate these facilities. Living examples like Alex and Milo illustrate how essential these points of contact are because they not only offer young people technical help, but also give them the feeling of belonging and friendship.

The contact points are therefore more than just consulting centers. They are hope bearers who show many young people a way that is possible despite the adversities of life. In a country like Austria, in which young adults can live on average up to 25 years with their parents, it is all the more important to offer Careleaervern a place where they learn to orient themselves independently in the world.

While the Careleaver arrival spots are a unique project in Carinthia, the initiators hope that similar offers can also be created in other federal states. The pressure on social structures grows to ensure that none of these young adults are left unsafe when they are released into independence.