Don Bosco Kath. Jugendhilfe

Don Bosco Kath. Jugendhilfe is a Catholic youth welfare organization based in Osnabrück, Germany. It operates as a public-law corporation (Körperschaft öffentlichen Rechts) under the Bishop's See of Osnabrück (Bischöflicher Stuhl des Bistums Osnabrück) and is a member of the German Caritas Association (Deutscher Caritasverband). The organization traces its institutional roots to the St. Johann orphanage, founded in 1726 through a bequest by Anna Maria Steffen, making it the oldest still-existing children's home in the Diocese of Osnabrück. The present entity was established in 1957 and named after John Bosco, the patron saint of youth. It is not connected to the Salesians of Don Bosco. The organization provides outpatient (ambulant) and (partly) residential ((teil-)stationär) assistance for children, adolescents, young adults, and families in difficult life situations. Its core mission is the placement, care, and education of disadvantaged and developmentally at-risk children and youth. Over the decades, its care models have evolved from an orphanage to an infant and children's home, and finally to a modern youth welfare institution offering a range of services. The organization emphasizes reliable accompaniment, individual solutions developed together with parents, and values of transparency, compassion, and professionalism. On its official website, Don Bosco Kath. Jugendhilfe describes itself as "a house full of life" and highlights cooperation with partners in education, youth welfare, and health. It offers permanent employment, internships, and placements for the Voluntary Social Year (FSJ). It also publishes a magazine titled "Beziehungsweise" to provide an overview of current projects. The organization states it has over 100 years of experience within 60 years of operation, reflecting its deep historical roots and its modern institutional form.

The history of Don Bosco Kath. Jugendhilfe is deeply intertwined with the St. Johann orphanage, founded in 1726 in Osnabrück. The orphanage was established through the efforts of Anna Maria Steffen, a wealthy heiress who, on 17 July 1722, petitioned the collegiate chapter to create a charitable institution providing orphaned children with "a home and a good Catholic education." She donated 4,000 Reichstaler to establish a foundation. The project gained support from various benefactors, including Johann Anton von Geistkoffler zu Gailenbach, who made the orphanage his heir; the Lutheran Prince-Bishop Ernst August II of Hanover, who gave 200 Taler; and the Benedictine monastery in Minden, which donated 1,500 Reichstaler. After lengthy negotiations, a foundation contract was concluded on 7 November 1724 with Provost Hugo Adam von Korff. Construction began in May 1725 on a site next to the Johanniskirche, and the house was occupied on 18 October 1726. In its early years, the orphanage housed only three to five Catholic girls, and foster parents (Zieheltern) were also taken in to care for the children, all of whom worked in the associated agriculture. From 1730, boys were also admitted. In 1732, Prince-Bishop Clemens August I of Bavaria decreed that all newly appointed officials in the Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück must donate 50 percent of their first year's salary to the St. Johann orphanage, a regulation that remained in effect until his death in 1761 and provided substantial income. In 1740, a bequest from Georg Ulrich Klecker allowed the admission of 12 additional children who did not have to be orphans; sick children and those from impoverished families were also accepted. Children had to leave at age 12 and were placed as apprentices or housemaids. The foundress Anna Maria Steffen died on 9 November 1743; a depiction of Saint Anne above the main entrance still commemorates her. In 1744, the "Krimpenfosten Stiftung" was merged into the orphanage foundation, enabling expansion and the acquisition of livestock. By 1745 there were 21 children, and by 1768, 30 children, including 15 boys. In 1785, the collegiate chapter leased the orphanage to foster parents Brunemann, which led to a return to admitting only orphans. By 1788, 39 needy children were cared for outside, and by 1795 the number had risen to 120. In that year, the foundation's chairman, priest Karl von Vogelius, died and bequeathed his fortune of 36,000 Reichstaler to the orphanage. Over the following centuries, the institution evolved in response to changing social needs. It transformed from an orphanage into an infant and children's home, and eventually into a modern youth welfare institution providing residential and outpatient care. In 1957, the present entity, Don Bosco Kath. Jugendhilfe, was founded, named after John Bosco, the patron saint of youth. It is not affiliated with the Salesians of Don Bosco. The organization is a public-law corporation under the Bishop's See of Osnabrück and a member of the German Caritas Association. Today, it continues to offer a range of services for children, youth, and families, building on its centuries-old tradition of charitable care.

• 1957

  Don Bosco Kath. Jugendhilfe founded, named after John Bosco.

• 1744

  Krimpenfosten Stiftung merged into the orphanage foundation, enabling expansion.

• 1740

  Bequest allows admission of 12 additional children, including non-orphans.

• 1732

  Prince-Bishop Clemens August I decrees that new officials donate 50% of first year's salary to the orphanage.

• 1730

  Boys are admitted to the orphanage for the first time.

• 1726

  St. Johann orphanage opens on 18 October, the oldest children's home in the Diocese of Osnabrück.

• 1724

  Foundation contract for the St. Johann orphanage concluded on 7 November.

• 1722

  Anna Maria Steffen petitions the collegiate chapter to establish an orphanage.

A faith-based, Caritas-affiliated youth welfare provider rooted in a 300-year-old charitable tradition, offering professional and compassionate support for children, youth, and families in the Osnabrück region.

• Outpatient youth welfare services

  Ambulatory support for children, youth, and families in difficult life situations.

• Residential and semi-residential care

  Placement, care, and education for disadvantaged and developmentally at-risk children and youth.

• Family support and counseling

  Individual solutions developed together with parents to strengthen families.

• Voluntary Social Year (FSJ)

  Placements for young people to engage in social service.

1. 1Don Bosco Kath. Jugendhilfe Osnabrück – Official Websitedonbosco-osnabrueck.de
2. 2Don Bosco Kath. Jugendhilfe – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
3. 3Don Bosco Kath. Jugendhilfe – Wikidatawikidata.org