Farewell to the Welcome Café in Niederbieber: A Local Landmark Closes Its Doors
In the heart of Neuwied, Germany, the Welcome Café became a sanctuary for refugees seeking more than just a roof over their heads. The initiative, which kicked off in March 2022 at the Evangelical Community Center in Niederbieber, was the brainchild of Mayor Peter Jung, who emphasized the importance of human kindness, advice, and companionship in the lives of those seeking refuge.
Over the months, more than 100 volunteers came together to organize over 100 refugee café afternoons. Pastor Martin Hassler, who opened the community center's doors every Wednesday, witnessed countless touching encounters. The project, a testament to the cooperation of local community centers, migrant support organizations, and municipal cultural offices, proved to be a resounding success.
The Welcome Café served as a hub for refugees in Niederbieber, offering a space for idea exchange, advice, and companionship. People who had found temporary accommodation in the sports hall in Niederbieber regularly visited the café to find solace and support. Among the volunteers who dedicated their time to the café were Esther Bitterling and René Lehmann, as well as Pastor Martin Hassler, Melanie Hofmann, Iyad Asfour, and Sarah Fischer.
The Summer Festival of Cultures, celebrated in July, was a subsequent action that built on the Welcome Café. The Diakonie Neuwied provided expert advice, KiJub organized childcare, and a large team of volunteers provided cakes and drinks for the visitors. The festival was a celebration of diversity and a testament to the integration of refugees into the local community.
Utz Ebertz, site manager of Diakonie Neuwied, views the work for and with refugees as a lived charity. He believes that treating all people equally is not always fair, but the willingness to share with someone who has almost nothing makes everyone richer. This sentiment was echoed by many volunteers who celebrated the farewell of the Welcome Café, including Anna Wiebe from the German Red Cross, Susanne Börder-Kautzky from the Welcome Café team, and Andreas Rudow, among others.
Though the doors of the Welcome Café may have closed, the work for and with refugees in the community center in Niederbieber continues. The end of the café does not mark the end of the journey, but rather a new chapter in the story of Neuwied's commitment to supporting those in need.
