Ev. Jugendhilfe Menden

What Ev. Jugendhilfe Menden does

Stiftung Ev. Jugendhilfe Menden is a German Protestant nonprofit foundation (Stiftung) established in 1966 and headquartered in Menden, North Rhine-Westphalia. The foundation operates as a decentralized child and youth welfare institution providing trauma-informed residential care, diagnostic assessment, intensive and day-group services, mobile support, outpatient family assistance, and foster family services for children and adolescents aged 0–24 in challenging life situations across the Märkischer Kreis region (Menden, Iserlohn, Hemer, and surrounding municipalities). Its service portfolio includes Diagnosegruppen, Heilpädagogische Wohngruppen, the Intensivgruppe Hüingsen, the Regelgruppe (Wohngruppe Kunterbunt), Tagesgruppen, Mobile Betreuung, Ambulante Hilfen, and — as of November 2025 — a Kinderschutzgruppe for emergency intake of children aged 3–8. The foundation also advises approximately 180 Pflegefamilien through its Zentrum für Pflegekinderhilfe across emergency, permanent, Westphalian, and migration-sensitive foster family programs. Its foundational methodological framework is Traumapädagogik (trauma-informed pedagogy), complemented by bindungssensible care, resilience promotion, experiential pedagogy (Erlebnispädagogik), animal-assisted interventions (Tiergestützte Pädagogik), and circus pedagogy (Zirkusprojekt), with the Wohngruppe Arche Noah having achieved traumapädagogische Zertifizierung from the Fachverband Traumapädagogik e.V. in 2022.

The foundation's business model is public-sector commissioning under §§ 27 ff. SGB VIII (German Child and Youth Welfare Act). All placements are mandated and funded through Jugendämter (youth welfare offices) of the Märkischer Kreis and the cities of Menden, Iserlohn, and Hemer; fees are negotiated per individualized Hilfeplan (help plan) rather than via commercial pricing. Revenue streams comprise Stationäre Jugendhilfe (residential care), Ambulante Hilfen (outpatient services), and Pflegekinderhilfe (foster care services), all recurring public-mandate revenue, supplemented by Spenden (donations) for special projects. The organization is led by Claudia Schirmer (Geschäftsführender Vorstand / Managing Executive Board) and employs an internal Therapeutischer Dienst, an Ethik Forum, and a Team Qualitätssicherung to deliver multidisciplinary care. Strategic positioning rests on certified traumapädagogische quality, deep municipal commissioning relationships (notably the joint Kinderschutzgruppe planned over three years with four Jugendämter), and regional brand recognition evidenced by the 2018 WDR Kinderrechtepreis award.

Name

Ev. Jugendhilfe Menden

Legal name

Stiftung Evangelische Jugendhilfe Menden

Website

https://ev-jugendhilfe-menden.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Stiftung Ev. Jugendhilfe Menden is a German Protestant nonprofit foundation providing trauma-informed residential, diagnostic, outpatient, and foster family services for children and youth across the Märkischer Kreis region of North Rhine-Westphalia, commissioned by municipal youth welfare offices under SGB VIII.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Child and Youth Welfare Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mental Health & Emotional/Trauma-Informed Childcare (anxiety, PTSD) (HSAAAIAI), Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Safeguarding) (BPADAHAF), Family Coaching, Parent-Mediated & Home Visiting EI Services (EDACAFAJ)

Keywords

• Residential child care
• Foster family services
• Trauma-informed youth care
• Child and youth welfare
• Outpatient family support

Headquarters

HQ city

Menden

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Stationäre Jugendhilfe (Residential Child Welfare): Core revenue is generated through § 27 ff. SGB VIII (Child and Youth Welfare Act) placements. Children and youth are placed by Jugendämter (youth welfare offices) in the organization's living groups, diagnostic groups, and intensive groups. Funding is provided by the commissioning public youth welfare office based on individualized help plans (Hilfeplan).
2. Ambulante Hilfen (Outpatient Services): Mobile support, therapeutic services, and family-based support services are funded through ongoing public mandates and help plans, generating recurring revenue streams from youth welfare offices.
3. Pflegekinderhilfe (Foster Care Services): Recruitment, preparation, and ongoing professional accompaniment of foster families is commissioned and funded by youth welfare offices of the Märkischer Kreis and surrounding municipalities.
4. Spenden (Donations): The foundation accepts donations to support special projects such as pony holidays, educational materials, and enrichment activities for children in care.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Stiftung Ev. Jugendhilfe Menden provides commissioned child and youth welfare services under §§ 27 ff. SGB VIII, including residential care (Heilpädagogische Wohngruppen, Diagnosegruppen Arche Noah, Intensivgruppe Hüingsen, Wohngruppe Kunterbunt), day groups (Tagesgruppen), outpatient and mobile family support (Mobile Betreuung, Ambulante Hilfen), child protection group (Kinderschutzgruppe) for children aged 3–8, and a full foster family program (Bereitschaftspflege, Dauerpflege, Westfälische Pflegefamilien, migrationssensible Pflegefamilien). All services are grounded in Traumapädagogik and certified by Fachverband Traumapädagogik e.V.

Product overview

Stiftung Ev. Jugendhilfe Menden operates as a decentralized youth welfare institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of residential, semi-residential, and outpatient services. The core offerings include diagnostic and residential care groups (Diagnosegruppen, Heilpädagogische Wohngruppen, Intensivgruppe, Regelgruppe) providing around-the-clock care for children and adolescents. Day services (Tagesgruppen) and mobile support (Mobile Betreuung) offer part-time assistance. The foster family program encompasses temporary (Bereitschaftspflegefamilien), permanent (Dauerpflegefamilien, Westfälische Pflegefamilien), and migration-sensitive placements. The Kinderschutzgruppe provides acute protection for children aged 3-8 in emergency situations. Therapeutic services (Therapeutischer Dienst), trauma pedagogy (Traumapädagogik), adventure education (Erlebnispädagogik), animal-assisted therapy (Tiergestützte Pädagogik), and circus project (Zirkusprojekt) constitute specialized programs. The organization serves children aged 0-24 and advises approximately 180 foster families in the Märkischer Kreis region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Westfälische Pflegefamilien (WPF): Foster family services including Westphalian foster families (WPF), emergency foster families (Bereitschaftspflegefamilien), and permanent foster families (Dauerpflegefamilien).
• Diagnosegruppe Arche Noah
• Intensivgruppe Hüingsen/Lendringsen
• Zentrum für Pflegekinderhilfe

Products and services

• Heilpädagogische Wohngruppen (Trauma-pedagogical Residential Groups) Trauma-pedagogical residential care groups offering protected living arrangements for children and young people with special therapeutic and pedagogical needs, commissioned by Jugendämter under §§ 27 ff. SGB VIII.
• Diagnosegruppen (Diagnostic and Mediation Groups) Diagnostic assessment and placement groups providing assessment and mediation services for children in crisis situations; the Arche Noah group serves children aged 3–6 and holds traumapädagogische Zertifizierung from Fachverband Traumapädagogik e.V.
• Intensivgruppe Hüingsen / Lendringsen (Intensive Residential Group for Boys) Intensive trauma-pedagogical residential group for boys with complex needs, providing enhanced support beyond standard residential care.
• Wohngruppe Kunterbunt (Regelgruppe / Standard Residential Group) Standard residential care group providing general youth welfare services for children who can be cared for in a group setting.
• Tagesgruppen (Day Groups) Day groups providing part-time care and support for children and families, enabling children to remain in their home environment while receiving daytime therapeutic and educational support.
• Mobile Betreuung (Mobile Support) Mobile support services providing outreach assistance and care for young people and families in their home environment.
• Ambulante Hilfen (Outpatient Services) Outpatient assistance services providing family-oriented support, counseling, and educational assistance to help families remain together.
• Kinderschutzgruppe (Child Protection Group) Child protection group providing acute care and accommodation for children aged 3–8 years in emergency situations, offering secure shelter and stabilization in modern facilities.
• Westfälische Pflegefamilien (WPF) — Westphalian Foster Family Program Westphalian foster family program providing permanent homes for children with traumatic backgrounds and special developmental needs through long-term family-based care.
• Bereitschaftspflegefamilien (Emergency Foster Families) Emergency foster family service providing temporary care for infants, toddlers, and school-age children during acute family crises.
• Dauerpflegefamilien (Permanent Foster Families) Long-term foster family services for children requiring permanent alternative family care arrangements.
• Migrationssensible Pflegefamilien (Migration-sensitive Foster Families) Migration-sensitive foster family program providing culturally aware care for children with migration backgrounds.
• Therapeutischer Dienst (Therapeutic Service Department) Internal therapeutic service providing psychological and counseling support for children, young people, and families in care at the foundation's facilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Traumapädagogische certification achieved for Wohngruppe Arche Noah through multi-level external review process
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jugendämter Menden, Iserlohn, Hemer und Märkischer KreiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2025Joint planning and implementation of the Kinderschutzgruppe (Child Protection Group) and Zentrum für Pflegekinderhilfe (Center for Foster Child Welfare). Planning began over three years, with the group opening November 2025 and officially inaugurated March 2026. The group provides emergency protective care for 6 children aged 3–8. The youth offices are the primary commissioning bodies for all of the foundation's core services under SGB VIII.
• Stadtbibliothek MendenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2025Co-organized the Human Library event 'Frag mich!' on 4 September 2025 at Stadtbibliothek Menden as part of the NRW-wide Woche der Erziehungshilfe 2025. The event aimed to challenge stereotypes about children in care and youth welfare.
• Institut für sozialpädagogische Praxisforschung und -entwicklung BonnminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 September 2023Provided expert input for the closing conference of the 'Offensive für Beteiligung und Kinderschutz' project on 15 September 2023. Dirk Schäfer and Miriam Düber served as conference speakers.
• Fachverband Traumapädagogik e.V.coreTechnology or Integration · 1 December 2022The German Trauma Pedagogy Association conducted the multi-level certification review of the Wohngruppe Arche Noah, assessing traumapädagogische standards, crisis management, complaints procedures, admission/discharge processes, and help-planning for young children. The foundation is also featured in the association's journal 'Unsere Jugend'.
• Jugendämter Hemer, Iserlohn und Märkischer KreiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in the Kick-Off event for the 'Offensive für Beteiligung und Kinderschutz' (Participation and Child Protection Initiative), a scientific project supported by the four participating youth offices. The initiative focuses on strengthening participation of foster children and child protection in foster family care under the Kinder- und Jugendstärkungsgesetz (KJSG).
• Westfalenpost (WP) MendenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal newspaper coverage of the foundation's activities, including interview with a foster mother (Pflegemutter Melanie) and coverage of the Kinderschutzgruppe opening.
• Koelner Spielcircus / SpielezirkusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerA traveling circus engaged annually for summer festivals and events, providing entertainment (Mitmachzirkus) for children in care, Pflegefamilien, and staff at the foundation's events.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Diakonie Deutschland: The social welfare federation of the Protestant churches in Germany, operating thousands of child welfare, foster care, and family support facilities nationwide. A broad incumbent that — like the foundation — operates under Protestant auspices and provides comparable SGB VIII services, but at vastly greater scale.
• AWO Bundesverband: Arbeiterwohlfahrt is a major German social welfare association providing child and youth welfare, foster care, and family support services through regional affiliates. Comparable as a public-mandated youth welfare provider, though significantly larger and broader in scope.
• Caritas Deutschland: Catholic social welfare confederation running an extensive network of youth welfare facilities, foster family services, and family counseling centers. Comparable service portfolio under SGB VIII but operating as a national federation rather than a single regional foundation.

Direct peers

• Internationaler Bund (IB): Large nonprofit providing youth welfare, child and family services, education, and migration support across Germany. Overlaps directly with the foundation's residential care, outpatient services, and migration-sensitive foster family programs.
• Deutscher Kinderschutzbund: Germany's leading child protection and family support association, offering counseling, advocacy, and direct services for children at risk. Comparable to the foundation's Kinderschutzgruppe work and broader family-support mandate under SGB VIII.
• SOS-Kinderdorf: Operates residential children's villages (Kinderdörfer) and youth welfare services across Germany. Directly comparable to Stiftung Ev. Jugendhilfe Menden as a nonprofit provider of residential care, foster family support, and traumapädagogische services under SGB VIII, but at a national scale.

Regional players

• Bundesverband unbegleitete minderjährige Flüchtlinge: Specializes in care and advocacy for unaccompanied minor refugees — a population with trauma backgrounds comparable to the foundation's core clientele, though the foundation's migration-sensitive Pflegefamilien program is a small share of its portfolio.

Others

• Kindernothilfe: German nonprofit focused on child welfare and child rights in developing countries. Thematically aligned with the foundation's mission of protecting vulnerable children, but operates internationally rather than delivering local residential care in Germany.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Stiftung-Ev-Jugendhilfe-Menden-104292061434759
• Instagraminstagram.com/stiftung_ev_jugendhilfe_menden/?hl=de
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ev-jugendhilfe-menden

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Ev. Jugendhilfe Menden