The ARCHE takes children off the streets and accompanies them on their journey towards a school certificate of completion and then into further education and training. These young people have a permanent refuge in the afternoon at the ARCHE, where they can find reliable caregivers who help them find a sound path to a self-determined life. In the ARCHE, children and young people experience recognition and thus gain confidence in their abilities.
The Hamburg ARCHE was founded in 2006 in the Jenfeld district, triggered by the event of young seven-year-old Jessica starving to death in her parents' flat. This should never happen again.
Today, with its centres in the focal areas of Jenfeld, Billstedt and Harburg, the ARCHE is in contact with over 1,000 children and young people from socially disadvantaged families. Many of them come to one of the ARCHE’s facilities every day. Here they get a warm meal; they can try out different types of sport and music and can make friends and have people to talk to. The ARCHE team enables their fosterlings to develop their talents and supports them in all school matters.
Even under challenging conditions of the pandemic, special attention is paid to homeschooling and tutoring - locally and digitally. This is how most ARCHE children manage to stay on top of their schoolwork. As a result, the number of school graduates is steadily rising and young people are able to find apprenticeships or university places with the help of the ARCHE team. In appreciation for the support they have experienced in the past, many former ARCHE youths have returned to help out at the ARCHE facility centres.
The ARCHE is financed by more than 95 % from donations and is therefore heavily dependent on external help.
The non-profit "ARCHE-Freundeskreis" has supported the “Hamburg ARCHE” on a voluntary basis from the very beginning. We collect donations, provide information, and are available as a sparring partner for all questions regarding the ARCHE's work.
You can become a member of the "Freundeskreis" and support the ARCHE as part of a strong network. Contact us!
Donation account: Freundeskreis Die ARCHE Hamburg e.V. Berenberg Bank IBAN: DE07 2012 0000 0054 5400 00 BIC: BEGODEHH
Klinik-Clowns Hamburg e.V. They bring laughter, humour and entertainment to children and adults in hospitals and shelter homes, as well as colourful change to senior citizens' homes.
MUT Academy It gives Hamburg pupils from a challenging environment the courage to achieve a school leaving certificate and to move on into professional life and encourages their self-confidence and motivates them to take their life into their own hands.
KinderLeben e.V. This association supports severely ill children and their families, fulfils minor requests and wishes, helps to make their everyday life more tolerable, sometimes bears the costs of a funeral and looks after other children in the affected families.
Benita Quadflieg Stiftung In the Kinderhaus Mignon children who have been taken out of their families by the authorities in cases where the child’s welfare is endangered, can find a new caring home in family-like residential groups with supportive professional psychological help.
Hände für Kinder e.V. (Hands for Children Society) – Kupferhof The “Kupferhof” provides a short time home up to 12 handicapped children. While they are cared for by a qualified team, their families can regain new strength or take time for the healthy children in the family.
Excursion to the BVB (Football Club Borussia Dortmund) for the “Ampukids“ Website
Runder Tisch Blankenese
German courses for refugees, playgroups for children Website
Foundation “Stiftung Mittagskinder“
On the various venues run by the Mittagskinder more than 200 children in socially deprived areas in Hamburg are given regular and healthy meals free of charge. They also receive help with homework and the moral support of qualified social workers and educators.
Stiftung Mammazentrum Hamburg
“Breast Care Nurse”, to accompany women with breast cancer and giving help and advice in medical and psycho-social issues – from the diagnosis via treatment to discharge, and also afterwards. Website
THC Hamburg Cricket e.V.
Cricket equipment – a little bit of home for many refugees from Afghanistan. Website
Extra time for fulfilling heartfelt wishes, e.g. visits to the zoo, eating ice-cream, time for cuddling and being read to, stroll around town, going for a walk Website
Friends of Britain e. V. Klövensteenweg 123 22559 Hamburg Tel. Nr. 040 830 1076 Fax Nr. 040 830 1689 Email team[at]friends-of-britain.de Email mail[at]wendysprock.com