Dr. Loew Soziale Dienstleistungen

Dr. Loew Soziale Dienstleistungen is a family-owned social services company headquartered in Wernberg-Köblitz in the Upper Palatinate region of Bavaria, Germany. Founded in 1968 by Fritz Loew sen., it has grown into one of the largest private providers of social services in Bavaria. The company supports people with intellectual, mental, and physical disabilities, as well as seniors and young people, through a broad range of residential, outpatient, and employment-related services. As of the company's own reporting, Dr. Loew operates 112 residential locations across 13 rural districts with outpatient services, employs around 2,100 staff, and supports approximately 1,900 clients. Its offerings range from assisted outpatient living to intensive full-care residential groups. The company also runs sheltered workshops (Wernberger Werkstätten) in Wernberg-Köblitz, providing vocational integration in production, gastronomy, and external work placements. Specialized services include outpatient psychiatric care, youth welfare, and programs for people with intellectual disabilities or mental illness. Since 1999, the company has been led by Sandra Loew, the founder's grandniece, representing the third generation of family management. Dr. Loew has a history of pioneering projects, including deinstitutionalization efforts in the 1990s, the Musik-Café B14 (a café employing people with mild intellectual disabilities), and the Learny education house for people with learning difficulties. The company also sponsors the annual ConSozial Science Prize, endowed with €4,000, awarded at Germany's largest social welfare trade fair in Nuremberg. Dr. Loew remains a private, family-owned enterprise with no publicly listed shares. Its growth has been driven by differentiation of services by disability type and age group, and by responding to evolving social policy and demand. The company is deeply rooted in Bavaria and continues to expand its range of inclusive living, working, and educational opportunities.

Dr. Loew Soziale Dienstleistungen was founded in 1968 by Fritz Loew sen. The first home opened in Neukirchen bei Sulzbach-Rosenberg, initially accommodating children, adolescents, and adults with intellectual disabilities. Because this mix was not legally permissible, the children were to be moved to a house called 'Aumühle' in Lower Bavaria. However, massive local resistance arose, attracting media attention, and Dr. Loew was offered suitable alternative properties in the Lower Bavaria region. Thus, in 1969, the second home, the 'Schreinermühle', was established in Kollnburg. Differentiation by degree of disability led to further expansion. Next, homes in Unterachtel were opened for school-age children and adolescents, attached to a state-recognized special school for the intellectually disabled. As these children and adolescents left school in subsequent years, there was a need for suitable daytime activities, so occupational and work-therapeutic care came to the fore. Further differentiation occurred in the adult sector. Increased admissions from the mentally ill/mentally disabled sector led to the establishment of dedicated facilities for this group within Dr. Loew from mid-1993. Another focus in the early 1990s was on deinstitutionalization projects. In 2007, the company again turned its attention to work with children and adolescents. The implementation of extraordinary projects has accompanied the development of the family-owned company. Currently, the Musik-Café B14 is operated with around 15 jobs for people with mild intellectual disabilities. The 'Learny' education house for people with learning difficulties is likely unique in Bavaria. The company annually sponsors the ConSozial Science Prize, endowed with €4,000, awarded at Germany's largest social welfare fair in Nuremberg by the Bavarian State Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs, Family and Women. Since 1999, the company has been led by Sandra Loew, the founder's grandniece, in the third generation. The company headquarters is in Wernberg-Köblitz in the Upper Palatinate. As of recent reporting, Dr. Loew operates over 110 homes, supports over 1,800 people, and employs over 1,900 staff, making it one of the largest private social service providers in Bavaria.

• 2007

  Company re-focuses on work with children and adolescents.

• 1999

  Sandra Loew, grandniece of the founder, takes over leadership in the third generation.

• 1993

  Dedicated facilities for mentally ill/mentally disabled individuals established within Dr. Loew.

• 1969

  Second home, the 'Schreinermühle', established in Kollnburg after local resistance to the planned 'Aumühle' in Lower Bavaria.

• 1968

  Founded by Fritz Loew sen.; first home opens in Neukirchen bei Sulzbach-Rosenberg.

One of the largest private providers of social services in Bavaria, offering individualized care and support across the lifespan.

• Residential homes for people with intellectual disabilities

  Over 110 residential facilities providing full-time care and support.

• Outpatient assisted living (Ambulant betreutes Wohnen)

  Support for people living in their own homes across 13 rural districts.

• Outpatient psychiatric nursing service

  Care for people with acute or chronic psychiatric, gerontopsychiatric, or neurological conditions after hospital stays.

• Wernberger Werkstätten sheltered workshops

  Vocational integration in production, gastronomy, and external work placements for people with disabilities.

• Musik-Café B14

  Inclusive café providing around 15 jobs for people with mild intellectual disabilities.

• Learny education house

  Education house for people with learning difficulties, likely unique in Bavaria.

1. 1Dr. Loew official websitedr.loew.de
2. 2Dr. Loew Soziale Dienstleistungen - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
3. 3Dr. Loew Soziale Dienstleistungen - Wikidatawikidata.org