A Fortnightly Rhythm Built on Trust
That they are completely normal, that they are reliable, you have to be able to trust them, I missed that with many in the past,
14-year-old David says. Growing up without parents in institutional care often leaves minors knowing adults solely as professional caregivers, educators, or teachers, lacking a consistent, long-term personal connection. To address this persistent gap in the youth welfare system, a Cologne-based association matches vulnerable minors with volunteer companions who commit to staying in their lives over the long term.
Two Years of Badminton, Walks, and Lego
Every other Saturday marks a dedicated meeting day for David, who lives in a supervised residential youth group in the Rheinisch-Bergischen Kreis, and Katja, a 58-year-old company employee from Odenthal. Since beginning their relationship two years ago, Katja has spent at least two afternoons a month with the teenager. David has no contact with his biological parents and experienced a failed placement in a foster family before entering the residential facility.
Private Citizens Connect with Children in Institutional Care
Their meetings typically involve shared activities like playing badminton, walking, or building with Lego blocks outside the confines of the residential group or school environment. The initiative behind these pairings is organized by the association “Ehrenamtliche Wegbegleitung Deutschland,” founded by Julius Daven to connect private citizens with children in institutional care.
Screening Applicants for Child Protection
According to Daven, prospective volunteers undergo a rigorous multi-stage screening and qualification process. This includes submitting personal background details, presenting a police clearance certificate, and hosting home visits where association staff interview the applicant and their family.
The protection of the children is our highest priority,
Daven said. Companions are important reference persons, but not a replacement for a family. Therefore, there are clear rules, fixed contact persons, and continuous support by our association.
Combating Isolation Amid High Staff Turnover
Katja emphasizes that her motivation stems from a desire to give back following her own upbringing and raise her own two children without a financial incentive. Daven noted that the core objective of the program is to combat the isolation children feel due to high staff turnover in the youth welfare system by providing a stable, singular figure they can rely on for guidance into adulthood.
