Caritas demands solid funding for social counseling - Mainz's Social Counseling Service Faces Financial Crisis, Leaving Women and Families at Risk
General social security counseling in Mainz, a crucial lifeline for individuals and families in precarious situations, is facing a financial crisis. Around 60% of those seeking help are women, including single parents and large families. Caritas has sounded the alarm during the Weeks Against Poverty (October 2025), urging political and church support to secure the future of this vital social security service.
The demand for social security counseling has surged, with nearly 90% of those seeking help grappling with multiple issues. Despite this, funding is at risk, with about a quarter of providers having to limit or discontinue services by 2024. The financial burden falls heavily on the providers themselves, with around 80% of funding coming from their own resources. Men, too, are at risk, with many facing homelessness due to seeking help. Caritas, the German charity association, has called for robust public funding to maintain this low-threshold access point, especially for women, single parents, and families in acute crises.
Caritas organizes the annual Weeks Against Poverty, which ran from October 17 to November 16 in 2025. During this time, they highlighted the importance of general social security counseling, emphasizing that it helps solve acute crises for free. They urged politics and the churches to place this 'pilot service' on a solid financial footing and keep its doors open for those in need.
General social security counseling in Mainz is a critical service for those in precarious situations, with women, single parents, and families being particularly reliant on it. Despite increasing demand, funding is at risk, with many providers having to scale back or abandon the service by 2024. Caritas has called for robust public funding to secure the future of this service, ensuring it remains a low-threshold access point for those in acute crises.
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