The Karl Bröcker Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2019! A good reason to generously support the construction of the new youth center in Geseke – because it all started in Geseke: This is where entrepreneur Karl Bröcker founded Gesika Büromöbelwerke, now Sedus Systems GmbH, in 1962. In honor of his daughter Renate Bröcker, who established the foundation, the new youth center will bear her name. In addition to the foundation’s support, the project was financed by urban development funds. The city and the foundation are pulling in the same direction.
New name – and a new location: the youth center is moving to Schulzentrum Mitte. The new building layout offers clear advantages: The entire activity area is on one level. The JUZ’s services are aimed at all children and young people in the city and are divided up according to age in order to cater to the different needs of visitors. A central meeting room ensures a better overview and cooperation, and the larger kitchen allows more young people to take part in the much sought-after culinary activities. Here, 15 children and young people can cook and bake at the same time. The open-plan first floor includes a bar, PC workstations (for writing job applications with the help of social workers, for example), another seating area with a pool and table football table, a darts machine, a bistro area, a room for workshops and more. The staff offices are located on the second floor.
In November 2021, after two years of planning and renovation, the time had come: the Renate Bröcker Youth Center was opened and the keys were symbolically handed over. At the official opening, the mayor of Gesek explicitly mentioned that the new youth center (JUZ) honors Renate Bröcker. It is in line with the foundation’s guiding principle of promoting the development and education process of children, teenagers and young adults and strengthening them in acquiring social skills and independence.
More and more children and young people with a migration background are attending the youth center. Intercultural work is therefore an essential part of youth work.
Susanne Brandherm, CEO of the Karl Bröcker Foundation, sees the new JUZ as a benefit for the town of Geseke. The foundation is committed to promoting the development and education of young people and is proud that the new youth center bears the name Renate Bröcker.
