Catholic Women's Social Service

The Social Service of Catholic Women (SkF) is a women's and professional association in the Catholic Church , which was founded unofficially in 1899 and officially in 1900 by the central politician Agnes Neuhaus (1854–1944) under the name of the Good Shepherd Association.

History of the SkF

The founding idea of the SkF was to let women who are in emergency situations get help from women. Founded in 1899 under the name of the Good Shepherd Association, in 1901 the name of the association was changed to Catholic Welfare Association for Girls and Women . In 1903 there was another name change to Catholic Welfare Association for Girls, Women and Children . During National Socialism , the work of the association was severely hindered by those in power. It wasn't until 1968 that the name was changed to Social Service of Catholic Women (SkF).

Working area of the SkF

Today the SkF works in the following social areas:

Advice and help in the context of child and youth welfare ,
Advice and help in the context of assistance for the disabled ,
Advice and help for women and families at risk, including participation in the Munich support model against domestic violence
Advice and help for prostitutes
Advice and help for the mentally ill and care in accordance with the Care Act (BtG).
Support for homeless women

Structure of the SkF

Today the SkF is a professional association in the German Caritas Association. In Germany, the SkF is divided into the associations formed in the dioceses and countries. The local SkF associations are united in a general association that maintains the SkF headquarters based in Dortmund . There are 157 local associations and 11 branch offices with 9,000 full and supporting members, 4,400 voluntary employees without membership and 5,000 professional employees.

The local SkF associations are responsible for

approx. 120 pregnancy counseling centers (since 1999 without certification according to §7 SchKG and §218a StGB ),

approx. 31 mother-child facilities,

approx. 40 child and youth welfare institutions and

approx. 35 women's shelters .

In addition, the local SkF associations maintain a total of 37 adoption and foster child services. They also operate so-called baby flaps , in which mothers who cannot get along with their babies can hand them over anonymously. About 100 local SkF associations are care associations according to the Care Act (BtG).

See also: German Caritas Association

literature

Andreas Wollasch: From care “for the outcasts of the female sex” to legal help: 100 Years of Social Service of Catholic Women (1899–1999) , Olsberg 1999. ISBN 3-925680-30-6

Web links

http://www.skf-zentrale.de/

https://skf-berlin.de/

Individual evidence

↑ KOBER - communication and advice center. Retrieved December 18, 2017 .
↑ Eva's stop - subject. Retrieved August 2, 2020 .
^ Housing First for Women. In: Social Service of Catholic Women eV Berlin. Retrieved on August 2, 2020 (German).
↑ Shower mobile for homeless women in Berlin (together with Workerfashion.com). Retrieved August 2, 2020 .

[1] KOBER - communication and advice center. Retrieved December 18, 2017 .

[2] Eva's stop - subject. Retrieved August 2, 2020 .

[3] Housing First for Women. In: Social Service of Catholic Women eV Berlin. Retrieved on August 2, 2020 (German).

[4] Shower mobile for homeless women in Berlin (together with Workerfashion.com). Retrieved August 2, 2020 .