Since the opening of “Quartier 16” in November 2021, 26 women and 15 children have found temporary housing, support and guidance there. “The quick and unbureaucratic help was only possible thanks to the support with financial and material donations and the good cooperation with many cooperation partners,” emphasizes Sister Angelika Garstenauer, Superior General of the Franciscan Sisters of Vöcklabruck. “We are therefore taking our one-year anniversary as an opportunity to say a big thank you!”
The “Quartier 16” next to the mother house of the Franciscan nuns of Vöcklabruck has been offering women and their children in need temporary housing, support and orientation since November 2021. The residents have five rooms and two small transitional apartments as well as common rooms and a large garden at their disposal.
close cooperation
“The 26 women and 15 children who were with us in the first year came from very different situations: Great financial hardship, evictions and homelessness, but also separation or the war in Ukraine were topics, for example,” informs Sr. Ida Vorel , the manager of “Quartier 16”. “We work closely with social contact points, such as the emergency shelter, the women’s shelter, Impuls, Mobilis and child and youth welfare. But the Vöcklabruck hospital and the police also turn to us if necessary.” “Quartier 16” is not geared to the needs of people with addiction problems or acute mental illnesses.
On average, the women stayed in “Quartier 16” for 69 days, with the longest stay lasting ten months and the shortest just one day. The “Quartier 16” not only offers a place to live, but also supports the women in getting back on their feet in life: “Our top priority is that the women maintain or regain their independence and ability to act,” emphasizes Sr. Ida. She and her employees support the women, if necessary, with advice, support when dealing with authorities or when looking for work.
“With the active support of many people, we have managed to create an offer with Quartier 16 that fills a gap,” says Superior General Sr. Angelika Garstenauer happily. “Quartier 16” has established itself within a year in the Vöcklabruck area as a contact point for women in emergency situations. “Now it’s about us continuing to work together for this important institution: Every support for Quartier 16 goes 100 percent to the women and their children.”
Source: Nachrichten
