For more than 20 years, we have been supporting an extraordinary social institution in the north of Munich – Lichtblick Hasenbergl. In this interview, founder Johanna Hofmeir explains how 200 children and young people from socially disadvantaged families receive intensive care and support there.
Question: Ms. Hofmeir, what is Lichtblick Hasenbergl?
Johanna Hofmeir: Lichtblick specializes in helping children and young people who need more help and support than traditional kindergartens, after-school care centers, and daycare centers can offer. With us, these children receive healthy basic care, daily educational support in small groups, and intensive social training with a focus on employability. Our services begin with mother-child groups and a kindergarten. We then accompany the students from their first day of school until they graduate and place the young people in vocational training. Even then, we continue to support them until they have securely established themselves in working life.
Question: What motivated you to found this institution?
Hofmeir: Children from poor and educationally disadvantaged families often slip through the existing social safety net. The plight of these children touched me and motivated me to develop a type of institution that is tailored precisely to their needs. They should have the opportunity to grow up healthy, do well in school, and find a way out of poverty with the right training.
Question: What makes working with and for children so special?
Hofmeir: The successes! It is always impressive to see how much these children and young people can achieve and what amazing talents they display when they are cared for and supported in their education. We are proud of the many young people who are the first in their families to graduate from school and successfully complete an education.
Question: What are the most important goals of your institution?
Hofmeir: Our primary goal is to break the cycle of inherited poverty and social disadvantage. We want to help children become happy young people and well-educated professionals who can support themselves and contribute to society.
Question: How did the partnership with DR.SCHNELL come about?
Hofmeir: Ms. Annette Schnell became aware of us through a newspaper report and spontaneously offered her help. For more than 20 years, DR.SCHNELL has been supporting us financially, with its excellent cleaning products, and with the company's expertise. The Schnell family is also personally involved. For example, they financed a science project and organized soccer tickets for our children and young people. We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to be part of the social projects of the company and the Schnell family.
Question: Why are these two partners such a good fit?
Hofmeir: Whenever we have a special need or there are problems with cleaning or HACCP concepts, we can confidently turn to the company and the Schnell family. We always receive a great deal of understanding, appreciation, and warmth. This strengthens us in our challenging everyday work and gives us the feeling that we are not alone with all the social problems and crises that the children and young people bring with them.
Question: We greatly appreciate your commitment and are donating up to €10,000 this Christmas with a fantastic campaign. How will you use the donation?
Hofmeir: We would like to use this large sum to finance additional projects for general education and intensive school support. It will also enable us to set up a "future fund" to secure the educational paths of our children and young people.
Question: How will Christmas be celebrated at Lichtblick Hasenbergl this year?
Hofmeir: We have decorated our house for Christmas and small Christmas parties are being held in all our groups and programs. It is important to us to provide the children and young people with warmth, security, and moments of peace and reflection.
Question: What are your wishes for the year 2026?
Hofmeir: Lichtblick takes on many tasks for which there is no public funding. We therefore hope that our sponsors will remain at our side and that we will be able to gain new friends and supporters.
Lichtblick Hasenbergl in figures
Founded in 1995
30 educational professionals
200 childcare places
Every donation helps:
Lichtblick Hasenbergl
Stadtsparkasse München
IBAN: DE33 7015 0000 0081 1345 46
BIC: SSKMDEMM