The Federal Working Committee for Catholic Youth Social Work (Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Katholische Jugendsozialarbeit (BAG KJS) e.V.) is a union of organisations at the federal and state levels. As committed Christians, we support and counsel young people, especially the disadvantaged and those with individual problems. We assist them in developing both their personality and their talents and skills.

Within country and society we act as an advocate for them. To that end we cooperate with persons and institutions from the economic sector and society at large, but also political and national, church based and free associations. Thereby we assure that these young people get the support they need.

We give advice and conceptual as well as financial support to projects and support those institutions and organisations that work on behalf of disadvantaged people. We are actively engaged in the debate within society and the scientific community, while at the same time contributing cooperatively to the resolution of these difficulties. Thus we work towards shaping our future society: Our future has to have a face.

The Future Belongs to the Young
In light of the situation in today’s society, this can no longer be taken for granted: as a result of a lack of training positions and high unemployment on the one hand, and the rapid change and high demands put on them on the other, many young people are losing sight of their goals. But it is the young people of today that will have to face the challenges of tomorrow’s society. It is of vital importance for the future of our society, what opportunities and chances we offer to our young people.

It seems that part of today's young people is permanently excluded from participating in society. Catholic Youth Social Work (BAG KJS) claims
what needs to be done at political level in order to allow disadvantaged young people to participate actively in society. To turn young people's poverty into young people's courage the German Federal Association of Catholic Youth Work (BAG KJS e.V.) welcomed almost 60 participants from Germany and other European countries to its European Symposium "Let change succeed ... - Ways out of youth poverty" on October 1st 2010 in Berlin. Based on the outcome of the European Symposium, in the final Communique the BAG KJS phrases various ideas on ways out of poverty.

Further Information to the European Symposium

In our facilities, young people are supported holistically. In addition to a well-founded professional supervision, encouraging inter-personal skills is very important to us, so that young people can grow up to become a complete person – with a back bone and distinctive features.

Entering into the world of work is one of the most momentous changes in the life of young persons. Because of the precarious labour situation, job assistance for young people has become a critical area of youth social work. It encompasses educational measures of preparation and vocational training as well as employment support for youths from a poor living situation. In addition to that we offer assistance for unemployed young people and those threatened by unemployment.

The desire for security and a place to call home is common to all human beings. Going to school or vocational training at far away places may make it necessary for youths and young adults to live away from their parents’ house. Assisted living is a chance for youths and young adults to learn to handle the every-day worries, live together with others, but at the same time practice what is like to live independently, all this in a framework of professional care.

Adverse circumstances are hardest on young people from an immigrant background: a foreign language and unfamiliar surroundings make it difficult for them to persevere in school or jobs, and even privately. Through counselling, assistance and companionship, we enable them to get involved in society. But our support goes beyond counselling and integration seminars to include language courses and extracurricular support. In these measures we also involve the local population.

These and other initiatives meet the current challenges of our society, ensuring that our future will not become faceless.

Organisations at Federal Level

Organisations at State Level