“Loneliness is becoming one of the defining social issues of our time. More and more children and young people are feeling isolated — often with serious consequences for their development and future prospects,” emphasized Hendrik Wüst after touring the premises of the Bethel support project. “That’s why it is so important to create spaces early on where young people can experience community, build trust, and discover new perspectives. Projects like the one at ‘Haus Sophia’ make a real difference. They offer practical support to children and young people who need it, while also helping to raise awareness of the issue across society. When we address loneliness early, we strengthen individuals — and we strengthen social cohesion as well.”
Pastor Dr. Bartolt Haase, Chairman of the Board of the v. Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen Bethel, and Liz Mohn, founder and Chairwoman of the Liz Mohn Foundation, warmly welcomed Minister-President Hendrik Wüst and, together with Bielefeld’s Mayor Dr. Christiana Bauer, gained an impression of the services offered.
Bethel’s Chairman of the Board emphasized that loneliness is not a question of age and underscored the great importance of the project for adolescents: “At Haus Sophia, many people — both staff and volunteers — are deeply committed to giving these children and young people stability and confidence. The Minister-President’s visit is a strong recognition of that commitment and further strengthens it,” said Pastor Dr. Bartolt Haase.
For Liz Mohn, the loneliness of young people is a key social issue. “Experiencing solidarity and receiving professional support on their path out of loneliness is crucial for these young people,” the founder emphasized. The project provides affected children and young people with new perspectives for their future.
The children and teens are supported by psychological and educational specialists throughout each six-month project cycle. Together, they work on topics such as dealing with emotions, self-esteem, and stress tolerance, and have the opportunity to participate in workshops and activities in the cultural and creative fields. Joint activities such as cooking, sports, and excursions help build connections and friendships. “At Haus Sophia, we offer children and young people a safe space where they can settle in, discover their strengths, and become part of a community,” said Project Director Dr. Steffi Koch-Stoecker, who also serves as Managing Senior Physician at the University Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at EvKB.
The children and teens are accompanied by 20 volunteers who serve as mentors. Participation is free of charge for the boys and girls. The project is initially scheduled to run for two years. Participants usually learn about the project through their parents or on the recommendation of pediatricians or school social workers. Already in its second cycle, there has been a noticeable increase in inquiries. The project team led by Dr. Steffi Koch-Stoecker and Katharina Muregancuro from EvKB, together with Dr. Theresa Hornischer from the Liz Mohn Foundation, expects demand to continue to grow.
Minister-President Wüst concluded his visit with the words: “My sincere thanks go to everyone who supports this project with great commitment and works every day to give young people new confidence and enable their participation in society. I would also like to personally thank Liz Mohn, who for decades has made enormously valuable contributions to social cohesion through her foundation’s work.”
Caption:
Minister-President Hendrik Wüst visited the project “Growing Together. Acting Together.”, funded by the Liz Mohn Foundation, at the Evangelisches Klinikum Bethel. Pictured from left to right: Christoph Nolting (Board Member of the v. Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen Bethel), Minister-President Hendrik Wüst, founder Liz Mohn, Dr. Bartolt Haase (Chairman of the Board of the v. Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen Bethel), and Jörg-Uwe Goldbeck (Chairman of the Administrative Board of the v. Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen Bethel
