Careleaver eV

The Careleaver e.V. is a nationwide advocacy and self-organization for young adults who have spent part of their lives in child and youth welfare institutions or in foster families. The association was founded in 2014 from the project "Higher Education without Family Support" at the University of Hildesheim and has been funded since 2019 by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women & Youth.

The main mission of the Careleaver e.V. is to support and accompany young people in their transition to an independent life. The association advocates for the rights and concerns of care leavers and works to improve the living conditions of this group. The values of the association are based on solidarity, self-help, and the active participation of the affected individuals in decision-making processes.

• Network and Community: The Careleaver e.V. offers a comprehensive network where care leavers can support each other and learn from one another.
• Policy Advocacy: The association is engaged in (policy) advocacy to raise awareness of the issue of "Leaving Care" and to initiate structural changes, particularly in the context of the reform of SGB VIII[1][4].
• Workshops and Events: Regular workshops, networking meetings, association weekends, and specialist conferences provide members with opportunities for further education and networking.
• Support during Transitions: The association assists in coping with the complex requirements that come with the end of residential care, such as completing school, training, work, moving into their own apartment, and household management[3].

• Quality Assurance and Regular Funding: The association works to identify criteria for quality assurance and regular funding of the necessary resources to ensure sustainable support[3].
• Regional Self-Help Structures: A central goal is to establish regional self-help structures to enable sustainable participation of care leavers and positively stabilize their biographies[3].
• Research and Cooperation: The association cooperates with scientific institutions, such as the Institute for Social and Organizational Education at the University of Hildesheim, to connect research and practice in the field of educational assistance[3].

• Careleaver Worldwide: In partnership with the Kreuzberger Kinderstiftung, the "Careleaver Worldwide" program offers stays abroad, travel, and gap years to provide care leavers with international experiences and support[5].

The Careleaver e.V. is a central anchor point for young adults transitioning from residential youth welfare or foster families to an independent life. Through its comprehensive offerings and the active participation of its members, the association continuously works to improve the living conditions and prospects of care leavers.

• 1 - https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Care_Leaver
• 2 - https://careleaver.de
• 3 - https://www.ejh-schweicheln.de/kontext/controllers/document.php/1607.8/6/7e6ad7.pdf
• 4 - https://careleaver.de/about-us/
• 5 - https://www.kreuzberger-kinderstiftung.de/stipendien/careleaver-weltweit/