Chronicle

The cost per space set by the LandSH increased in women's shelters by 5.5%. The plan was to incorporate two municipal spaces at the Autonomous Women's Shelter into state funding. There were no urgently needed capacity increases in Lübeck.

The implementation of the sheltered housing concept stagnated, despite ongoing overcrowding in women's shelters and the housing shortage in the Hanseatic city.

The topic of bathroom renovation in the women's shelter was an ongoing process with initial planning by Trave.

The association worked intensively on the further development of the website and digitalization.

The Lübeck city mothers actively helped shape the Hanseatic Museum's anniversary and the Hüxstraße Festival, in cooperation with the House of Cultures.

In cooperation with the Women's Office and other network partners, the association began implementing the first measures of the Istanbul Convention's action plan in the Hanseatic city.

The 2nd Action Plan of the European Charter for Equality in Lübeck started with new measures, and the association once again participated with various projects. Among other things, a bench with the inscription „There is no place for violence against women and children here“ was set up in front of the House of Cultures, our network partner, to make a clear statement in public.

The „Madame Courage“ award ceremony took place for the 3rd time with a colorful celebration at the House of Cultures.

The association advocated for women's rights, sexual self-determination, and against paragraph §218, and is taking to the streets with a broad alliance.

Due to the persistent overcrowding in the women's shelters, various talks were held with politicians. A press release in the newspapers about the high number of women and children turned away from the women's shelter caused a political uproar. As a result, the association was able to develop a shelter concept, which is currently being worked on and has been submitted to the Hanseatic City of Lübeck.

The association participated intensively in the action plan for the implementation of the Istanbul Convention in the Hanseatic city and actively supports the inventory of its implementation.

The measures from the 1st Equality Action Plan 22-24 were successfully implemented and presented at the Transition House Lübeck.

A course with childcare started for the first time at Lübecker Stadtmütter.

In cooperation with KOKI, the film „Maman? Non merci!“ („No Kids for me. Thanks!“) by and with Magenta Baribeau was shown, on the topic of Voluntary childlessness, shown and rounded off with a panel discussion.

A reading of „Paths to No“ by Sina Holst and Johanna Montanari (eds.) was held with the authors at SchickSAAL*.

Initial negotiations with the housing company Trave regarding the bathroom renovation for the residents of the women's shelter began.

An open house was held in the newly renovated club rooms. This was accompanied by an art exhibition on the topic of femicide, featuring a sculpture exhibition and a poetry slam.

The women's shelter was delighted to receive the support of a reading mentor for the children and a language mentor for the residents who had no opportunity to attend an official language course.

The women's shelter took part in the Megaphonika exhibition in the Willy Brandt House and sent out a strong signal for children's rights.

The women's shelter used the newly installed fast lane of the immigration office.

High-risk management was introduced by decree, and in the spirit of the Istanbul Convention, high-risk cases of domestic violence (DV) have been intensified. This serves as a supplement to the existing protection concept of the women's shelter.

The women's shelter received approval to continue the stabilizing children's group for another year via the „Family Support Measures for Refugees“ action programme in 2024.

The association supported the initialization of a Queer Center in Lübeck. The founding of the association and the search for a suitable property are ongoing processes.

The 2nd Wächterinnenpreis „Madame Courage“ award ceremony was celebrated with a colorful festival at the House of World Cultures.

Participation in the action plan for equality under the European Charter was closely monitored.

Accessibility barriers in the women's shelter were intensely discussed as an important issue, and plans for greater accessibility were taken up with great energy, leading to initial implementations.

The digitalization process in the club progressed; in addition to the cloud, a new corporate design and the reworking of the website were also focused on.

The film crew from the Cologne University of Applied Sciences accompanied life in the women's shelter to film a documentary.

The women's shelter garden received a new, permanently installed water feature. The residents' kitchen was adapted and renovated with energy-saving appliances.

The women's shelter received approval in the spring to implement a stabilizing children's group through the „Action Program Family Support Measures for Refugees“ for 2024. The approval period ended at the end of the year.

The Autonomous Women's Shelter Lübeck signed the 5-year budget contract with the Hanseatic City of Lübeck.

All organizations that were budgeted by the Hanseatic City of Lübeck were asked to provide evidence of their own violence protection concepts. This was mandatory for the association.

Social Senator Schindler was bid farewell, Ms. Pia Steinbrücke welcomed.

The Lübeck City Mothers project started with its 18th course.

The association celebrated its 45th anniversary with the simultaneous inauguration of the new balcony roofing. On World Children's Day, a children's rights demonstration took place on the water around the old town with various network partners.

The two safe housing units that could be rented during the Corona pandemic have expired.

The start of the war in Ukraine was discussed, addressed and taken up many times with the residents of the house as well as in the City Mothers' Courses. Demonstrations also took place, including protests in Iran and Afghanistan. The flood disaster in Germany affected life and work in the association on numerous levels.

Various measures were included by the association in the 1st Equality Action Plan 22-24 and developed and implemented across all associations in the short, medium and long term.

The Autonomous Women's Shelter received an interim budget from the Hanseatic City of Lübeck.

Furthermore, the Corona pandemic remained a constant topic at the women's shelter.

The Lübeck City Mothers project was awarded a 5-year budget contract by the Hanseatic City of Lübeck.

The FAG SH was opened - the whole year was bridged with preliminary decisions and statistics. In December, the amount of the accommodation cost rate was determined. The women's shelter was able to continue to rent the two protected apartments for the year.

Corona disrupted everyday life for society as a whole, at the women's shelter and for the city mothers. Hygiene concepts had to be developed and social distancing was the order of the day. Volunteers helped with food supplies and shopping during coronavirus outbreaks. Donors made it possible to use used tablets for home schooling and air filters.

Due to the corona situation, the women's shelter received 2 apartments for rent to reduce density in the women's shelter.

The Lübeck city mothers sewed everyday masks and distributed them with disinfectant to institutions and private individuals.

IKEA donated equipment for the women's shelter and the garden.

A barrier-free bathroom refurbishment was carried out on the ground floor thanks to the Aktion Mensch foundation.

The women's shelter was overcrowded and unbureaucratically received seven additional places from the Hanseatic City of Lübeck. A reorganization of the offices and resident rooms had to be developed.

The finance team was able to move into a new office.

A second edition of the book „My Second Childhood“ was published by the association.

The association restructured itself and was reorganized in the course of digitalization.

Sculptor Brigitte Schröder, together with the association "Frauen helfen Frauen Lübeck" (Women Help Women Lübeck), set a symbolic statement for non-violence. Three female guardians have since been a reminder in the herb garden of the House of Cultures.

There was a collaboration with Leuphana University, and the academic book „Children in Women's Shelters and Their Path to Life“ was published as part of it.

A specialist conference „Bei aller Liebe 2“ took place.

The Autonomous Women's Shelter celebrated its 40th anniversary. The anniversary celebration was canceled due to permanent overcrowding. Negotiations began with politicians on the situation of women's shelters.

The association "Frauen helfen Frauen" (Women Help Women) excludes any cooperation with the AfD in a written statement.

The Istanbul Convention came into force.

The „HerStory“ project was successfully implemented.

The Diakonie NordNordOst's „FrauenWohnen“ (Women's Housing) project has been launched and is being critically examined. Many cooperation talks had to be held.

The Lübeck City Mothers are presenting a poster exhibition about themselves and democracy.

The playground, over 20 years old, was demolished and replaced with a new play structure, new seating elements, and a toddler area.

The youth room in the house was imaginatively initiated by the children and young people living there and finally implemented. The accessible kitchen was renovated with a single donation. The living room had to be refurnished due to heavy use.

The club celebrated its 40th anniversary exuberantly on July 7, 2017, with a colorful festival on the Rathausplatz.

Group activities in the women's shelter could take place with the support of Lions Lübeck.
To raise awareness of the needs of women's shelters, a large demonstration took place at Lindenteller. In addition, the association Frauen helfen Frauen e.V. supported the Black Protest at Holstentor.
Residents from Lübeck were actresses at the annual conference of Autonomous Women's Shelters. The cooperation with Leuphana University Lüneburg continues.
The ideas for the children's outdoor play area led to concrete plans for the playground.

The year for the children and teenagers at the women's shelter was marked by the summer Sweden trip, which was also documented on film.

The emergency pot for women in need was refilled with the support of Zonta Lübeck.

The staff of the Autonomous Women's Shelter took part in the third worldwide women's shelter conference in The Hague, Netherlands, and submitted proposals to the Lübeck Women's Parliament.

City walks with women to women continued to take place.

The renovation work in the Autonomous Women's Shelter has continued. The ground floor and the first floor, including the communal large kitchen, were presented to the public during an open house.

The association sought further numerous donations in 2015 in order to renovate and furnish the 2nd floor.

The „Lübeck City Mothers“ project has established itself and is already starting its 4th course.

The „Lübeck City Mothers“ project was launched.

The ESF project „NAH dran- Netzwerk für Alleinerziehende in der Hansestadt Lübeck“ in cooperation with the FAW was successfully completed.

The first renovation work began at the Autonomous Women's Shelter thanks to numerous donations.

The association applied to the Gemeinnützige Sparkassenstiftung Lübeck for funding for the remaining sum needed for the redesign of the first floor and the kitchen in the Autonomous Women's Shelter.

The association's website has been redesigned and restyled.

Occupancy rates at the Autonomous Women's Shelter increased drastically. Admission freezes due to overcrowding became necessary because the Kiel state parliament decided to cut funding for the Women's Shelter of the Arbeiterwohlfahrt in Lübeck starting in January. The Autonomous Women's Shelter Lübeck took over the coordination of the State Working Group of Autonomous Women's Shelters in Schleswig-Holstein.

The 35th anniversary of the association was celebrated with a „Café Ole - Ich geh“ charity event. On June 9, citizens of Lübeck drank their coffee in the city center for the benefit of the women's shelter.

In October, the „Opportunities for Women“ network founded by the association hosted the 6th annual „Work, but how?“ fair, which took place at the Chamber of Crafts. Interested women found out about work and further training opportunities, had their application documents proofread and received information about the local help system.

On November 20th, an interactive, transcultural, and political expert conference titled „Lübeck – A City That Creates Knowledge! Secure Paths from Violence to a Strong Future“ took place in the foyer of the Lübeck Music and Congress Hall.

On November 25th, the play „Edith Piaf“ was performed in cooperation with the Theater Lübeck and the Women's Office for the „No to Violence Against Women“ day.
The association sought certification for its educational programs for vocational reintegration.

For the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day (a feminist day of struggle), women living in a women's shelter will present their own photo exhibition „Through the Eyes of a Woman - My City Lübeck“ in the Börsensaal of Lübeck City Hall.
Laden 58„ opened at Knud-Rasmussen-Straße 58a as an empowerment project for women living in a women's shelter.

The club's 34th anniversary was celebrated with an „Open House“ at the club premises and a street festival with the participation of the Autonomous Women's Shelter, Socio-Pedagogical Family Support, Vocational Training, NAH dran, and the Women's Self-Help Network.
Vocational training is temporarily ending its last „developmental course“.
In September, the „Citizen Work“ employment model will launch at the Autonomous Women's Shelter with two career changers working part-time. An international exchange with residents and founders of the women's shelter in Karachi took place in Lübeck, Hamburg, and Berlin.
The ESF project „NAH dran - Network for Single Parents in the Hanseatic City of Lübeck“ will start in October in cooperation with the FAW.

The cookbook „rührende Frauen“ (Touching Women), developed by residents of the women's shelter, and the book „My Second Childhood – Girls and Boys Paint and Report on Their Experiences Before, During, and After Life in the Women's Shelter“ were published.
The association celebrated the 32nd anniversary of the Autonomous Women's Shelter with a benefit night at Shed 9.
In intensive financial negotiations with the Hanseatic City of Lübeck, it was possible to reverse the funding cuts from 2005.

A resident is stabbed several times with a knife by her ex-partner at the door of the women's shelter. The man was then sentenced to 7.5 years in prison.On the occasion of this crime, politicians and members of religious communities gathered in St. Petri, alongside many Lübeck residents, to take a stand against violence.
The women's shelter was equipped with a security system for the first time. The City of Lübeck assumed the costs for the installation. Hansaalarm and the Lübeck security company were commissioned as security services. The registered office of Frauen helfen Frauen e.V. Lübeck was relocated to Marlesgrube for security reasons.

The first international conference for women's shelter residents took place in Lübeck.

The 30th anniversary of the Autonomous Women's Shelter was celebrated in cooperation with the Filmhaus and CineStar (film evening), the Lübeck lodge „Zum Füllhorn“ (benefit concert) and the Stadttheater Lübeck (opera evening). A midsummer festival in Drägerpark framed the celebrations.

The association supported UNICEF's work by organizing a midsummer festival in cooperation with the local cinema.

The association expanded: In addition to the women's shelter and „Vocational Training,“ another area of work emerged, namely social pedagogical family support.

On December 28th, a young woman was murdered by her ex-husband in front of the women's shelter. The man was subsequently sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Despite all protests and actions by employees, residents, and supporters, radical cuts were made to the funding for the Autonomous Women's House.

The association is founding the network „Women and Hartz IV.“ In November, the association Frauen helfen Frauen e.V. Lübeck expanded.
In addition to the women's shelter, „vocational training“ was established - the first „Aufbruchkurs“ course started with fifteen participants.

There were numerous actions against the planned cut in municipal subsidies, including a city run with the motto „No man beats a woman.“.
An employee is attending the Nordic Women's Conference in Kristiansand, Norway.

For the 25th anniversary of the women's shelter, residents and others presented the exhibition „A Women's Shelter Moves into the World – From Idea to Reality“ at St. Petri.
The first male honorary employee in the children's and youth sector began working at the women's shelter.

The city wanted to terminate the existing contracts on an expedited basis. Employees of the autonomous women's shelter walled up the town hall with Ytong stones, thereby ensuring that support for the women's shelter would indeed be enshrined.

From November 24 to December 1, 2002, an action week was held on the subject of „No violence against women and girls with disabilities“ in cooperation with „Mixed Pickles e.V.“ Lübeck.

New financial negotiations regarding budgeting were held.

The exhibition „Bei aller Liebe...Extrablatt“ was opened in the city library to mark the 23rd anniversary of the Autonomous Women's Shelter.

The book „Bei aller Liebe“ was published.

The congress „Bei aller Liebe“ on the topic of violence in gender relations was co-organized by the association in the Lübeck Music and Congress Hall.The residents' forum was founded, in which women from different countries networked internationally.

The Autonomous Women's Shelter turned 20 years old. The milestone birthday was celebrated with a two-week exhibition at City Hall and a party at the Dom-Café.

In March, women's shelter staff and supporters chained themselves to the town hall to prevent cost-cutting measures.

In February, negotiations began with offices and politicians regarding the „Waldersee“ housing project.
January brought a reform of the administrative structure in Lübeck, which meant that there were new contacts for the association Frauen helfen Frauen.

In October, the Neue Kaffeerösterei hosted an exhibition titled „Women's Shelter and Women's Dreams,“ in collaboration with residents of the women's shelter and the Werkkunstschule Lübeck.

In September, drastic measures were decided by the social welfare office regarding a new „employment policy“ and the distribution of vouchers instead of financial aid for those in need.

In March, the association negotiated with the Ministry of Women's Affairs on the future regulation of the flat-rate assumption of rental costs by the city and state.

The town council's resolution on a housing project for women's shelter residents, an alternative to Hundestraße 95, was amended in February.

The year began with negotiations with the parliamentary groups, the Ministry of Women's Affairs and the Women's Office to secure the continued existence of the organization beyond 1997.

The Advent calendar of the Autonomous Women's Shelter took a stand on women's shelter funding.

Within the framework of the Financial Equalization Act, the Ministry of Women's Shelters created a fixed basis for funding women's shelters on an inadequate scale.

In March, the women's shelter traveled to Copenhagen at its own expense and presented lectures and a new video film at an international forum.

The Ministry of Women said goodbye to the vested interest protection of the existing Lübeck women's house budget and introduced minimum standards instead of a needs-based individual grant for the cities. In February, the city council decided to cut the budget subsidy for the Autonomous Women's House.

The Senator for Social Affairs, Volker Kaske, invited the association as an NGO project to the World Social Summit in Copenhagen.

The relocation of the women's refuge residents took place in December. There was a „row over women's shelter funding“ after the social welfare office presented an extensive cost-cutting report.

The new women's shelter building was inaugurated in November 1994.

The women's shelter's July birthday celebration was held at Kohlmarkt and on the Open Channel with a live broadcast.

The usage agreement between Trave and the landlord was signed in February and the eviction deadline was postponed until the new accommodation was completed. The landlord doubled the rent.

The Autonomous Women's Shelter turned 15 years old, so a three-day event was held.

Nationwide protests by women's shelters arose against the new version of the directive for the allocation of state funds by the Ministry of Women.

After the court dismissed the eviction lawsuit in January, the landlord appealed. A new location for the construction of the women's shelter was discussed.

In August, the association and the offices of the Hanseatic City of Lübeck looked for solutions for a new location for the women's shelter.

In July, the peaceful settlement with the landlord failed in court.

In May, the landlord terminated the association's rental agreement for the women's shelter premises without notice.

An international group of young women renovated the women's shelter and the backyard as part of the first SCI (Service Civil International) Women's Camp.

In November, a citizens' assembly resolution was passed for an increase in personnel with a staff ratio of 1:4.

In May, there were city council resolutions regarding the housing shortage in women's shelters.

Together with politicians, the administration and residents of the women's shelter, solutions to the housing shortage problem were sought in February.

In November, residents of a women's shelter occupied a vacant house to draw attention to the housing shortage. At the same time, the dilapidated condition of the women's shelter building also became known.

In November, the social welfare office requested the names of the female residents, which was refused because the contract only stipulated the annual occupancy number.

The Autonomous Women's Shelter celebrated its tenth anniversary with a big party on July 1st.

The nationwide women's shelter meeting was organized by the association and took place in May in Lübeck. 250 women and children from Germany participated.

Until the decisive citizens' meeting in February, the SPD managed to avoid signing the contract with the association. The Greens then refused to vote on and approve the budget; this left the SPD with no choice but to sign the contract with the association. The financing now seemed to be secured until 1991.

In November, with the help of the Greens, a financial deficit was balanced through the budget of the Hanseatic city. A preliminary agreement was reached with the SPD faction. This obligates them to conclude a contract with the association, which included securing and supporting the women's shelter. In return, the Greens promised to elect the SPD candidate as mayor.

The financial woes intensified in September as the bank was unwilling to extend the loan further. The association was on the verge of dissolution and financial ruin. Therefore, a demonstration and letter-writing campaign were organized.

Attempts were made to clarify the modalities for securing a livelihood by contacting the social welfare office. The social welfare office was again only able to offer BSHG funding, but now via the „capitation and care allowance scheme“, which the association rejected.

The association learned from the press in August that funding and continued existence were finally secured.

The AWO opened its women's shelter.

The Workers' Welfare Association planned a second women's shelter in Lübeck; the association feared for its existence more than ever.

A new contract was concluded with the landlord, which secured the club for another ten years.

The budget item is approved again without an increase in the sum. The contract that included the conditions for awarding the funds was changed to the detriment of the association. Women from outside should no longer be allowed to be accepted in the future. Difficulties with the landlord of the house increased, leading to the first court proceedings.

In August, the association received a budget item of DM 50,000 for the first time. DM 200,000 had been requested.

There was no state funding for the women's shelter. The operation of the house was maintained with two AB measures and the voluntary work of the former permanent employees. The association received small donations and membership fees.

Due to political and conceptual considerations and viewpoints, the association decided in September to reject BSHG funding according to §72 and to generally reject funds from the BSHG. Four employees who were funded through §72 became unemployed as a result.

In the spring, there was an intensive examination of finances and an exchange with other women's shelter initiatives and associations on the topic.

An old town house was rented in January for the establishment of the women's shelter.
In the first half of the year, the house was renovated by the owner, and it opened on July 1st with one floor.

The hiring of the first paid employees could take place in December.

In March, the Lübeck Women's Shelter Initiative was formed.

The association „Women help women e.V.“ was founded in August.