Renewed Initiative after Three Decades: Offering a Fresh Start for Youth in Offenbach
**A Success Story in Offenbach: Celebrating 30 Years of the Start Project**
In the heart of Hesse, the Volkshochschule Offenbach recently celebrated a significant milestone - the 30th anniversary of the Start Project, a program considered one of the earliest and most enduringly successful vocational training initiatives for at-risk youth in the region.
The Start Project, a beacon of hope for young people without a school leaving certificate or career orientation, has been instrumental in preparing them for entry into working life through school and practical training. Over the years, the project has shown exceptional success, with many young people completing their certificates and finding training or employment positions.
Project leader Nadine Gausa particularly praised the long-standing commitment of the vocational school teachers of the Käthe-Kollwitz School. Since 2014/2015, 70 percent of the participants have achieved their secondary school leaving certificate, and over 60 percent have found a training position or other follow-up prospects.
The Start Project targets young people who may have faced challenges in their educational journey and provides them with practical skills, personal support, and opportunities for growth. The program is supported by social pedagogues and specialist instructors, and in the Start Project, young people work in the field of gastronomy and can make up for their secondary school leaving certificate.
The City Council President, Stephan Färber, described the Start Project as an "Offenbach success story" that gives young people a second chance for their career start. The chairwoman of the Hessian Adult Education Association, Heike Habermann, praised the educational approach of the project as an important contribution to social participation.
Education Commissioner Paul-Gerhard Weiß highlighted the importance of the project for young people in Offenbach who lack a school leaving certificate, career orientation, and sometimes language skills. The Start Project's success is a testament to its effective approach, which includes hands-on learning, apprenticeships, mentorship, counseling services, basic education, life skills, job placement, community involvement, and partnerships with local organizations.
To mark the 30-year anniversary, the Start Project unveiled a new logo, named "Go!", symbolizing encouragement for personal development. The event was marked by the musical accompaniment of the school band of the Mathildenschule, named "MagicBand" for the occasion.
Despite difficult early years, the Start Project has thrived, providing a second chance for countless young people in Offenbach. Its story serves as a shining example of the power of education and support in transforming lives and fostering success.
What about the role of learning and personal growth in the Success Story of the Start Project in Offenbach? The Start Project, celebrated for its enduring success in education-and-self-development, has been instrumental in fostering personal-growth and learning opportunities for at-risk youth, guiding them towards their personal best through hands-on learning, apprenticeships, and counseling services, ultimately contributing to their overall success and improvement in life skills.
