Volunteering in Pforzheim: Strong together for integration and cohesion!

Volunteering in Pforzheim: Strong together for integration and cohesion!

In the heart of Pforzheim, the series “The Mixture Matters” was recently celebrated with an impressive conclusion at the Kommunales Kino (KoKi). This last film focused on the voluntary work of Beate Wolf and Abu Özban, who act as bridge builders between people and enable integration through joint action. The event attracted numerous visitors who not only saw the film but also took part in an engaging discussion.

Beate Wolf, a native of Halle, found her way to Pforzheim in 2002 through love. The agricultural graduate worked in the public service, including in the Knittlingen town hall and at Telekom. Her past as a competitive athlete in the GDR gives her experiences and her commitment to football a special touch. Since 2018, she has not only been bringing the FSV Buckenberg girls' teams closer to sport, but also looking after children and young people between the ages of 7 and 16. Her volunteer work helped her to feel at home in Pforzheim. “In the club, no one asks where they come from,” she emphasized during the discussion after the film, which underlined the importance of volunteering for integration and social cohesion.

Abu Özban: Integration through support

Abu Özban, who came to Niefern from Berlin in 2005, also impressively shows how important volunteer work is for successful integration. After training as a construction mechanic, he worked as a locksmith and technician and is now involved in the “Our Helping Hand” association. Here he supports people in acute life situations and teaches young people about the metalworker profession at the IB Training Center Pforzheim. “For me, volunteering is integration in practice,” says Abu, “it’s a great opportunity to make contacts and practice language.”

Both actors were accompanied by Susanne Wacker and Angela Gewiese from FRAG, who also spoke about the enormous importance of volunteering for social cohesion. Wacker emphasizes that such commitment enriches not only the individual, but also the entire community. “Committed citizens are indispensable as partners for municipalities,” she adds, emphasizing the “we-feeling” that is promoted through civic engagement.

Volunteering as a key to community

In Baden-Württemberg, over 40 percent of citizens are involved voluntarily and unpaid in various areas, from social institutions and cultural projects to initiatives and associations. This commitment is often not sufficiently recognized, but is of fundamental importance for society. Supporting such activities strengthens the sense of belonging and contributes to the further development of the community. Pforzheim benefits from this commitment because people identify more strongly with their city, which strengthens and enriches the community.

Another exciting idea that those present found was that deploying volunteer ambassadors in schools and universities would be a valuable step in attracting young people to volunteer work. Because, as Beate Wolf aptly notes, parents play an important role model role for their children when it comes to commitment and social participation.

The “The Mixture Matters” project has been realized since 2010 by the Pforzheim Municipal Cinema in collaboration with Evangelical Adult Education, the Asylum Forum and other partners. Mayor Peter Boch is the patron at the head of this important project and thus shows the appreciation for the volunteers who actively contribute to society. Today's challenges require a strong community - and this is strengthened every day through volunteer work.

For anyone who would like to find out more about civic engagement in Pforzheim, it is worth taking a look at the city of Pforzheim's website, which provides information about various initiatives and opportunities: Citizen engagement.