Maritastiftelsen

Maritastiftelsen is a Norwegian independent Christian diaconal foundation dedicated to drug prevention and helping young people with substance abuse achieve a drug-free life. Established in 1984 as a continuation of Leiv O. Holstad's work among people with substance abuse, the foundation has grown into a nationwide organization with over 30 employees and around 200 volunteers in Oslo and surrounding areas. Its work extends internationally to Russia, Belarus, Serbia, Slovenia, North Macedonia, Iceland, and Denmark. The foundation is particularly known for its preventive work in Norwegian schools against the use of illegal drugs. Former drug users who have undergone rehabilitation and are drug-free share their life stories and show the Marita film. The first Marita film was completed in 1983 with state support and was part of the school program from 1984 until 1996, when a new film was produced. The first film was seen by nearly 500,000 Norwegian school students. In 1996, Marita 2 was released, also made by former drug users. Maritastiftelsen operates through eight departments and around 240 volunteers, in addition to employees, donors, and partners. Its work spans youth work, prison follow-up, housing offers, and rehabilitation. Marita Bo is a housing offer for young adults aged 18 to 25 who need a safe place to live. The foundation also runs outreach work through Maritakafeen, youth work, and prison visits. It is part of the umbrella organization Stiftelsen KRAFT (since 1992), which gathers Christian organizations working in substance abuse care. In addition to prevention and rehabilitation, Maritastiftelsen runs two second-hand shops focused on work training: Marita Brukthandel Markveien (formerly Maritabutikken, started in 1994, closed in 2019) and Marita Brukthandel Mjøndalen (opened in 2011). In collaboration with the Swedish Erikshjälpen, a new second-hand shop opened at Ensjø in Oslo in 2018, later moved to Hasle in 2021. Through these departments, Maritastiftelsen offers annual work training to about 50 people. The foundation's founder and general secretary, Leiv O. Holstad, passed away on March 4, 2020, after a long illness. His legacy continues through the foundation's work, which remains rooted in Christian diaconal values and a commitment to helping individuals and communities affected by substance abuse.

Maritastiftelsen was established in 1984 as a continuation of Leiv O. Holstad's work among people with substance abuse. The foundation's origins trace back to the early 1980s, when the first Marita film was completed in 1983 with state support. This film, featuring authentic scenes including syringe scenes that sparked initial discussions, became part of the school program from 1984 until 1996. It was seen by nearly 500,000 Norwegian school students. In 1996, a new film, Marita 2, was produced, also made by former drug users. In 1992, Maritastiftelsen became part of the umbrella organization Stiftelsen KRAFT (Kristent RehabiliteringsArbeid og Forebyggende Tiltak), which gathers Christian organizations working in substance abuse care. KRAFT includes Maritastiftelsen, Dreamcenter Bergen, Sørum Gård, P22, Shalam, Nappane mottak og omsorgssenter, and 22B. Over the years, the foundation expanded its work to include outreach through Maritakafeen, youth work, and prison visits. In 1994, Marita Brukthandel Markveien (formerly Maritabutikken) was started, providing work training. It was closed in 2019. In 2011, Marita Brukthandel Mjøndalen was opened. In 2018, in collaboration with the Swedish Erikshjälpen, a new second-hand shop opened at Ensjø in Oslo, which was moved to Hasle in 2021. Through these departments, Maritastiftelsen offers annual work training to about 50 people. The foundation also operates Marita Bo, a housing offer for young adults aged 18 to 25 who need a safe place to live. Its preventive work in schools includes the Marita film and Rock mot Rus, a program by Hans Inge Fagervik that uses music and conversation to promote abstinence from drugs. Maritastiftelsen has grown to include eight departments and around 240 volunteers, in addition to employees, donors, and partners. Its work spans youth work, prison follow-up, housing, and rehabilitation. Internationally, it operates in Russia, Belarus, Serbia, Slovenia, North Macedonia, Iceland, and Denmark. On March 4, 2020, founder and general secretary Leiv O. Holstad passed away after a long illness. His legacy continues through the foundation's ongoing work.

• 2021

  Second-hand shop moved from Ensjø to Hasle in Oslo.

• 2020

  Founder Leiv O. Holstad passed away on March 4.

• 2019

  Marita Brukthandel Markveien closed.

• 2018

  New second-hand shop opened at Ensjø in Oslo in collaboration with Erikshjälpen.

• 2011

  Marita Brukthandel Mjøndalen opened.

• 1996

  Marita 2 film produced; first film retired from school program.

• 1994

  Marita Brukthandel Markveien (formerly Maritabutikken) started.

• 1992

  Maritastiftelsen becomes part of Stiftelsen KRAFT.

• 1984

  Maritastiftelsen established; Marita film becomes part of school program.

• 1983

  First Marita film completed with state support.

Christian diaconal foundation focused on drug prevention and rehabilitation, known for school programs and volunteer work.

• Marita film

  Preventive film shown in Norwegian schools, featuring former drug users.

• Marita 2

  Second film produced in 1996, also made by former drug users.

• Rock mot Rus

  School program by Hans Inge Fagervik using music and conversation to promote abstinence.

• Maritakafeen

  Outreach café for people with substance abuse issues.

• Marita Bo

  Housing offer for young adults aged 18-25 needing a safe place to live.

• Marita Brukthandel Markveien

  Second-hand shop started in 1994, closed in 2019, focused on work training.

• Marita Brukthandel Mjøndalen

  Second-hand shop opened in 2011, focused on work training.

1. 1Maritastiftelsen official websitemarita.no
2. 2Maritastiftelsen - Wikipedia (Norwegian)no.wikipedia.org
3. 3Maritastiftelsen - Wikidatawikidata.org