The “Joker” team’s job is to help in difficult situations

The student who has never written an application. The young adult who not only dropped out of school, but also dropped out of the apprenticeship: They get help with the “Joker”.

The youth professional help of the city of Herten moved out of the town hall in the middle of the corona pandemic and moved into the rooms at Gartenstraße 58. Christine Schröder and David Röttger have more space here – not only for the office, but also for projects as part of “Strengthening young people in the neighborhood”.

The coronavirus has had a massive impact on the counseling work of the two social pedagogues. “Not that much has changed in the questions raised by the young people – but in the circumstances, how we provide information and help in difficult situations,” explains David Röttger. The “Joker” was in contact with the schools, but not all of the students that one wanted to reach could be reached. As a result, around 40 young people were left unsupervised and the “Joker” team is now trying other ways to reach them. “Getting in touch is very important,” says David Röttger. Messenger services such as “WhatsApp” can help where this does not work over a telephone call, as the young people usually react to this. For a few weeks now, face-to-face personal consultations have been possible again – which makes the job much easier.

No internships, fewer apprenticeships

The pandemic and its aftermath have not made the situation any easier for young people. It is feared that the number of early school leavers will double in the next two years. Since there were no internships for months, young people could not get to know any companies in this way – and no companies could get to know them. And on top of that comes the reduced number of apprenticeships. According to a survey by the Institute for Employment Research, a tenth of companies in Germany plan to offer fewer or no training positions at all. Those who have now finished school do not necessarily have the prospect of an apprenticeship position – some of them will continue to go to school. But for some, the vocational college is not an alternative either.

Many have not made it into professional life

Christine Schröder and David Röttger advise 150 to 180 young people between the ages of 14 and 27 on average each year. The concerns and problems with which the two qualified social pedagogues help range from schoolchildren who need help with writing applications to those in their mid-twenties who have dropped out of school and training. Many who seek help from the “Joker” have not made it into professional life. Some of these people also have several problems at the same time: alcohol, drugs, debt, sometimes homelessness. The team is helped by its large network, which it has established from the employment agency and job center to debt counseling and homeless assistance and beyond.

“Open door”

In order to offer the unsupervised a low-threshold offer of help, the “Joker” at Gartenstrasse 58 has an open door on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. during the holidays: “Anyone who is still looking for can come without an appointment and will be advised”, says David Röttger. They can help some people quickly – sometimes a conversation is enough. Others have been advising them over and over again for years. Because the “Joker” is usually not just about writing applications or looking for training positions – the team does a lot of youth social work. It is important that the young people stick with it. The motivation to “blow into it” sometimes comes from a new start at another school, sometimes from an apprenticeship. David Röttger knows: “If we can offer new perspectives, then the light will be seen at the end of the tunnel. There are only a few who shut themselves off completely. The basic motivation is there. “

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