Lebenshilfe Center

What Lebenshilfe Center does

Lebenshilfe Essen e.V. is a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) headquartered in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, operating as a self-help organization, parent association, and provider of comprehensive disability support services. The organization serves people with intellectual and multiple disabilities and their families, operating as a Komplexleistungsanbieter (complex service provider) under Germany's Eingliederungshilfe (integration assistance) framework. It is one of the market leaders in integration assistance in Essen, with approximately 400 employees and a portfolio that includes five Kindergartens (KiTas Glückauf, Grubengold, Zechenzwerge, Bergflöhe, Grubenlämpchen), residential facilities (Haus Haarzopf and Haus Drostenbusch, the latter built in 1997 with capacity for 21 adults), ambulatory supported living, family support services, school assistance, and leisure programs.

The service portfolio is anchored by the Förder- und Therapiezentrum (FTZ), which includes a Gemeinschaftspraxis (community medical practice), the FASD-Zentrum (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Center) offering diagnostics, therapy, and training, and the Kompetenzzentrum Autismus (Kompass) offering therapy, coaching, and group programs. The wholly-owned subsidiary Lebenshilfe Essen gGmbH operates the inCLOU inclusion enterprise, providing Büroservice (office services), Garten-Landschaftsbau und Hausmeisterservice (landscaping and facility management), and IT-Service lines staffed jointly by people with and without disabilities. Strategic support comes from LVR and Aktion Mensch for the inclusion enterprise.

Revenue is generated primarily through government-funded integration assistance for core disability services, supplemented by annual membership fees (€45 regular, €20 for self-advocates), donations and sponsorships from foundations and corporate partners (Aktion Mensch, Sparkasse Essen, Lions Club, Revierkraft, Friedhelm und Karin Wessendorf Stiftung, Alfred-Krupp-und-Friedrich-Alfred-Krupp-Stiftung), fee-based professional training and coaching for external organizations (autism training at €990, FASD training at €300, coaching at €110/hour), and small recreational program fees (€2–€5 per session). Services are delivered directly through facilities across Essen, with go-to-market focused on direct service delivery rather than third-party channels. The organization is led by Managing Director Jörg Woltermann-Hoffrichter and governed as a member-based association.

Name

Lebenshilfe Center

Legal name

Lebenshilfe Essen e.V.

Website

https://lebenshilfe-essen.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lebenshilfe Essen e.V. is a German non-profit association in Essen providing comprehensive disability support services, including five kindergartens, residential facilities, therapy, and specialized autism and FASD centers, serving people with intellectual and multiple disabilities and their families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Child and Youth Services (624110), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Autism (ASD) Support Childcare (HSAAAIAA), Behavioral Support & Positive Behavior Intervention Childcare (HSAAAIAF), Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK), Autism Executive Functioning & Academic Skills Intervention (EDAKAKAI)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Residential care facilities
• Inclusive childcare
• Special needs therapy
• Family support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Essen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Social Services Funding: Government-funded disability support services including residential care, daycare, therapy, and family support through Germany's Eingliederungshilfe (integration assistance) system. Services are provided as a Komplexleistungsanbieter (complex service provider) under German social law.
2. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees: 45€ per year for regular members, 20€ per year for self-advocates (Menschen mit Handicap). Members support the work and goals of Lebenshilfe Essen.
3. Donations and Sponsorships: Donations from supporters including PayPal, individual donors, and corporate sponsors. Multiple supporters including Aktion Mensch, Sparkasse Essen, Revierkraft, Lions Club, Friedhelm und Karin Wessendorf Stiftung, and Alfred-Krupp-und-Friedrich-Alfred-Krupp-Stiftung.
4. Recreational Program Fees: Small participation fees for leisure programs: 2€ per session for Spielecafé and Feierabendtreff, 5€ for special events like pizza nights or grilling sessions.
5. Professional Training and Coaching Services: Fee-based professional development and coaching services for external organizations including autism training (990€ for up to 20 participants), individual coaching (110€ per hour), and FASD training (300€ per person).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Lebenshilfe Essen e.V. is a non-profit self-help association and comprehensive service provider (Komplexleistungsanbieter) for people with intellectual and multiple disabilities, offering integrated support across all life areas including residential housing (Haus Haarzopf, Haus Drostenbusch, Ambulant Unterstütztes Wohnen, Außenwohngruppen), inclusive childcare through five KiTas, specialized therapy and counseling at the FASD-Zentrum and Kompetenzzentrum Autismus, family support services (Familienunterstützender Dienst, heilpädagogische Beratung, Schulassistenz, KoKoBe Beratung), recreational and sports programs, and the inCLOU inclusion enterprise providing vocational services in office work, gardening/facility management, and IT.

Product overview

Lebenshilfe Essen is a nonprofit organization (eingetragener Verein) serving as a self-help association and provider of comprehensive services for people with intellectual and multiple disabilities and their families. Their service portfolio operates as a multi-module platform approach encompassing: childcare services through 5 Kindertagesstätten (KiTas); the Förder- und Therapiezentrum (FTZ) offering specialized services including the FASD-Zentrum and Kompetenzzentrum Autismus plus a Gemeinschaftspraxis; residential living options through Ambulant Unterstütztes Wohnen, Außenwohngruppen, Haus Haarzopf, and Haus Drostenbusch; family support services including Familienunterstützender Dienst, heilpädagogische Beratung, Schulassistenz, and KoKoBe Beratung; leisure and sports activities through Freizeitkurse, Sport (Judo, Schwimmen), Feierabendtreff, Spielecafé, and playgroups; professional training through inCLOU, their inclusion company offering Büroservice, Garten-Landschaftsbau/Hausmeisterservice, and IT-Service; and continuing education programs for staff and external professionals covering autism and FASD topics. The organization employs approximately 400 people and serves as a key provider of integration assistance (Eingliederungshilfe) in Essen.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• inCLOU: Inclusive enterprise of Lebenshilfe Essen offering employment opportunities for people with disabilities in Büroservice (office services), Hausmeisterservice (facility management), and IT-Service.
• FASD-Zentrum Essen
• Kompetenzzentrum Autismus (Kompass)
• Freizeittreff Jagdstraße 15

Products and services

• KiTa Glückauf Inclusive kindergarten/childcare facility operated by Lebenshilfe Essen providing early childhood care and education for children.
• KiTa Grubengold Inclusive kindergarten/childcare facility operated by Lebenshilfe Essen providing early childhood care and education for children.
• KiTa Zechenzwerge Inclusive kindergarten/childcare facility operated by Lebenshilfe Essen providing early childhood care and education for children.
• KiTa Bergflöhe Inclusive kindergarten/childcare facility operated by Lebenshilfe Essen providing early childhood care and education for children.
• KiTa Grubenlämpchen Inclusive kindergarten/childcare facility operated by Lebenshilfe Essen providing early childhood care and education for children.
• FASD-Zentrum (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Center) Specialized center offering diagnosis, therapy, group and individual support, and self-help groups for individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and their families.
• Kompetenzzentrum Autismus (Autism Competence Center) Expert center providing therapy, training, coaching, and group offerings for individuals with autism and their families, as well as educational institutions serving children with autism.
• Gemeinschaftspraxis (Community Practice) Medical therapy and rehabilitation services offered through the Förder- und Therapiezentrum.
• Ambulant Unterstütztes Wohnen (Ambulatory Supported Living) Outpatient supported living services enabling people with disabilities to live independently in their own apartments with regular support visits.
• Außenwohngruppen (External Living Groups) Group living arrangements outside the main facilities for adults with disabilities requiring daytime support.
• Haus Haarzopf Residential facility providing stationary and semi-stationary barrier-free housing for adults with multiple disabilities.
• Haus Drostenbusch Residential facility built in 1997 offering barrier-free housing for 21 adults with multiple disabilities, organized in three living groups.
• Familienunterstützender Dienst (Family Support Service) Family support service providing respite care, babysitting, and support for families with children with disabilities through trained staff.
• Heilpädagogische Beratung und Begleitung für Familien Heilpädagogische Familienhilfe (early intervention), Beratung und Begleitung für Pflegeeltern (foster parent counseling), Erziehungsbeistandschaft (youth support), Begleitete Elternschaft (supported parenting), and Hilfe für junge Volljährige (support for young adults).
• Schulassistenz (School Assistance) Support service helping children with disabilities attend regular schools with necessary assistance and accommodations.
• KoKoBe Beratung Counseling service for disabled adults regarding work and employment matters.
• inCLOU Büroservice Office services including reception, telephone switchboard, post and email handling, appointment organization, errand services, file archiving, simple clerical work, data entry, bookkeeping, internal controlling, and invoicing. Also provides training for office management professions, delivered by an inclusion enterprise employing people with and without disabilities.
• inCLOU Garten-Landschaftsbau und Hausmeisterservice Garden and landscaping services including green area maintenance, tree care, fence and paving work, building maintenance, craftsman coordination, renovation work, and technical building services.
• inCLOU IT-Service IT services including server maintenance, data backups, user support, system and network administration.
• Fortbildungen und Coaching im Bereich Autismus Training and coaching programs on autism spectrum disorders for pedagogical professionals, including Fachcoaching, autism awareness training, and challenging behavior seminars (e.g., €990 inhouse training for up to 20 participants; €110/hour coaching).
• Fortbildungen FASD Training programs on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder for professionals and family members, covering coping strategies, behavioral characteristics, and social law topics (e.g., €300 per person including catering).

Quantifiable outcome

• Petition supporting disability rights received 181,269 total signatures (104,929 digital, 76,340 analog), making it one of the most successful petitions to the German Bundestag Petitionsausschuss

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Geno Bank EssenminorOthers · 1 January 2025Sponsor of the 21st Sauberzauber environmental action event, provided a Decathlon gift voucher worth 200€ as a prize that Lebenshilfe Essen won with their Freitagstreff group.
• LVR (Landschaftsverband Rheinland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLVR supports the inCLOU integration enterprise of Lebenshilfe Essen, which provides vocational opportunities for people with disabilities in office services, building/grounds maintenance, and IT services.
• Aktion MenschcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAktion Mensch supports the inCLOU integration enterprise, helping provide meaningful employment for people with disabilities in mainstream workplace settings.
• EBE Entsorgungsbetriebe EssenminorOthersEssen Waste Management Company organizes the annual Sauberzauber environmental cleanup action with approximately 30,000 participants. Lebenshilfe Essen participated and won a prize.
• Sparkasse EssenminorOthersLocal savings bank that supports Lebenshilfe Essen as a supporter, listed among the organization's acknowledged supporters.
• Aktion MenschminorOthersGerman social advocacy organization supporting inclusion projects. Listed as a supporter of Lebenshilfe Essen.
• RevierkraftminorOthersRegional supporting organization listed as a supporter of Lebenshilfe Essen.
• Lions-ClubminorOthersService club supporting Lebenshilfe Essen as part of their community service activities.
• Friedhelm und Karin Wessendorf StiftungminorOthersPrivate foundation supporting Lebenshilfe Essen.
• Alfred-Krupp-und-Friedrich-Alfred-Krupp-StiftungminorOthersFoundation of the Krupp family supporting Lebenshilfe Essen.
• Ehrenamtsagentur EssenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer agency in Essen that co-organized the Sauberzauber environmental action event with Lebenshilfe Essen participation.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Aktion Mensch: Germany's largest private funding organization for disability inclusion; a supporter/partner of Lebenshilfe Essen's inCLOU enterprise. Comparable as a funder and ecosystem player rather than a direct service competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Caritas Deutschland: One of Germany's largest social services networks, with Caritas Behindertenhilfe providing disability services including residential, family support, and inclusion across Germany. Operates as a broad incumbent overlapping Lebenshilfe Essen's service lines.
• Diakonie Deutschland: Major German Protestant social services federation whose Diakonie Werk disability services overlap substantially with Lebenshilfe Essen's housing, therapy, and family support offerings. Broad incumbent in the same funding framework.

Direct peers

• Bundesvereinigung Lebenshilfe: National umbrella association of the Lebenshilfe movement of which Lebenshilfe Essen is a member. Sets standards, advocates federally, and provides the brand/network umbrella under which Essen operates.
• Lebenshilfe Düsseldorf: Sibling Lebenshilfe local chapter in nearby Düsseldorf, offering the same Komplexleistungsanbieter mix of residential, Kita, therapy, and family support services to people with intellectual disabilities. Closest functional peer by service model.
• Lebenshilfe Gießen: Another local Lebenshilfe chapter operating a similar multi-service Komplexleistungsanbieter model (residential, Kita, therapy, family support) in Hesse. Useful benchmark for unit economics and service mix outside NRW.
• Lebenshilfe Nordrhein-Westfalen: Regional umbrella of the same Lebenshilfe network in NRW, coordinating and representing Lebenshilfe Essen and other local chapters. Direct network peer providing identical disability services across the same state.

Regional players

• Special Olympics Deutschland: National sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities, overlapping Lebenshilfe Essen's Freizeitkurse/Sport (Judo, swimming) offerings. Cross-enrollment and co-programming are common; functions as a regional peer in the leisure/sports segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lebenshilfe-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lebenshilfe Center