New Safe Space in Potsdam: Oberlin House Opens Emergency Shelter for Children and Youth
Potsdam’s Oberlinhaus has launched a new emergency care centre for children and adolescents in crisis. The facility will provide immediate support for young people who have faced violence, neglect, or abuse. The first residents are expected to arrive in January.
The centre spans 550 square metres indoors and 800 square metres outdoors, offering six individual rooms for short-term stays. Each young person will have their own space, with stays lasting between three and six months for stabilisation. The fully accessible building also includes rooms with medical care beds.
The €2 million project was funded by Oberlinhaus itself and contributions from the city of Potsdam. Despite delays in larger local developments, this smaller, targeted initiative has moved forward quickly. Qualified staff will work on-site to support the residents, who range in age from four to 18.
The facility complements existing child protection services in the region. It fills a gap by offering specialised, low-threshold care for vulnerable children, including those with disabilities. Authorities have highlighted the growing demand for such safe spaces in the area.
The new emergency care centre strengthens Potsdam’s child protection network by providing immediate refuge for at-risk youth. With its accessible design and expert staff, the facility aims to stabilise young residents during critical periods. The project demonstrates how focused, smaller-scale initiatives can address urgent community needs.
