"Düsseldorf e.V. offers aid to the goodnight buses"
Community Comes Together to Support Homeless Women in Düsseldorf
In Düsseldorf, a collaborative effort between the social initiative vision:teilen, charitable organization HILF MAHL!, and local gastronomers is making a significant impact on the lives of homeless individuals, particularly women.
Background
At the heart of this partnership is vision:teilen, an association dedicated to sharing resources and fostering solidarity within the community to help vulnerable populations. HILF MAHL!, meanwhile, is a charitable organization that provides meals and essential support services to homeless people in Düsseldorf. The local gastronomers, including restaurants, cafes, and food service providers, contribute by donating food, supplies, or volunteer efforts.
Addressing Unique Challenges
Recognizing that homelessness, especially among women, presents unique challenges such as safety concerns, access to hygiene facilities, and targeted social support, the partnership aims to leverage the strengths of each party. vision:teilen's organizational framework, HILF MAHL!'s experience with homelessness outreach, and gastronomers’ access to food resources and venues are all key to this initiative.
Making a Difference
The collaboration has resulted in increased access to services for homeless individuals, particularly women. Regular meal distributions and safe spaces ensure that homeless individuals have reliable access to nutritious food. The partnership also provides targeted support for women, recognizing their specific risks, and tailors services to increase safety and comfort.
Community engagement is another crucial aspect of this initiative. Involving local gastronomy not only provides resources but raises broader awareness and empathy within the Düsseldorf community about homelessness. Consistent access to meals and respectful engagement help improve the physical and mental well-being of homeless individuals.
The Goodnight Bus
A key component of this collaboration is the Goodnight Bus, operated by vision:teilen. This mobile service serves as a reliable contact point for homeless people in Düsseldorf, with an all-female team taking care of the needs of homeless women on the exclusively women's bus. The Goodnight Bus team, along with volunteers, makes regular stops in the old town and at the main station, providing meals, hygiene products, clothing, and a listening ear to the people.
Financial Support
HILF MAHL! Düsseldorf has fully funded the new interior design of the two Goodnight Buses of vision:teilen. Since then, around 15,000 euros have been distributed annually by HILF MAHL! Düsseldorf to projects that directly address the needs of homeless people. All donations made to HILF MAHL! Düsseldorf go directly to social projects that care for homeless people in Düsseldorf.
Expanding the Impact
The concept of HILF MAHL! originated in London and has since been implemented in other cities, including Hamburg and Munich. In Düsseldorf, HILF MAHL! has been active since 2018. On every second and last Wednesday of the month, a second bus parks near the stop and is exclusively for women. The second Goodnight Bus also receives a new interior with financial support from HILF MAHL!, with plans for the design yet to be revealed.
Getting Involved
The list of participating gastronomers can be found at this link. Donations can be made through donation boxes, direct donations, or by asking for a one-euro contribution from restaurant guests in Düsseldorf. More information about HILF MAHL! Düsseldorf can be found at this link.
This collaboration exemplifies a holistic, compassionate, and resource-efficient model of social aid that addresses immediate needs while fostering community solidarity to support one of the city’s most vulnerable populations.
In this collaboration, the Goodnight Bus, a mobile service operated by vision:teilen, is funded by HILF MAHL! to serve as a reliable contact point for homeless women in Düsseldorf, complementing their home-and-garden lifestyle and promoting sustainable-living by leveraging resources from local gastronomers and the community. Awareness and empathy are raised about the unique challenges faced by homeless women through initiatives like the Goodnight Bus, encouraging long-term support and commitment to these issues.
