For steps forward: housing, work, health!

The guests of the Franziskustreff should discover other perspectives for themselves in addition to breakfast. Brother Michael Wies took over the management of the centre from Brother Paulus in 2016. He soon had the idea of starting Housing First in Frankfurt for our guests. We were again encouraged to do so by private individuals and companies. With the promise to help - for further steps forwards back into society.

With this strong support behind us, we founded our own non-profit subsidiary: MainWeg gGmbH has been finding and supporting homeless people and homeowners since 2020. So that both come together. And the homeless person who was sleeping under the bridge yesterday now has a full tenancy agreement. Mind you, without any financial disadvantage for the homeowner. Because their rent payments are secured by the state welfare system.

In 2023, MainWeg gGmbH has gained a strong partner in Vonovia. The cooperation with Germany's largest housing provider means sufficient housing for MainWeg gGmbH in the long term. And it makes things a lot easier: the company arranges viewing appointments quickly and unbureaucratically - and thus finds personal accommodation for the participants more quickly. Read more at MainWeg gGmbH

For steps forward: earning money flexibly.

Franziska-Werkstatt has been open since 2025. We have taken a similar approach - with a second non-profit subsidiary: at the FRANZISKA workshop, homeless people can earn money with flexible work contracts. According to their abilities and possibilities.

The Franziskustreff Foundation's latest support programme for homeless people is located in the idyllic Schärfengäßchen near the Liebfrauenkirche church. The workshop, where candles are made, is financed by donations and the proceeds from sales in the shop area. The range includes candles made here by hand and will be expanded in future to include high-quality, sustainable products.

The Franziska workshop is much more than just a candle workshop. It is a place where people who are looking for a way out of homelessness can find their first job. Even without fulfilling the usual requirements such as a registration address, basic skills can be tested and professional skills (re)discovered and developed in the Franziska-Werkstatt. You can read more about this at www.franziska-werkstatt.de

For steps forward: cure.

The third daughter is "on the way" for the vital topic of health. We hope to be able to open the KLARA infirmary soon. It will provide the space and time for homeless people to recover after being hospitalised. Because that is a big problem when people have no home: They are admitted to hospital. And this is financed by the public social welfare organisation. But after a few days of hospital care, they suddenly find themselves on the street again.

This is where our planned infirmary comes in: Homeless people should find space and peace there. To regain strength. And to get back on their feet. So that the treatment was not ultimately in vain. That is a basic right. And we will start to enforce it better - also thanks to your help.

We would like to thank everyone who has encouraged us with their donations. What we are planning to do is typical of a foundation: it can take initiatives for which there is no role model.