Grand Opening of “Schöppchen 2.0” – A Place for Connection and Support in Neuwied.

Under sunny skies on Friday, March 6, 2026, a significant milestone in the fight against homelessness in Neuwied was celebrated with the grand opening of “Schöppchen 2.0.” With this new building, a place has been created that is far more than just a drop-in center—it is a space for connection, support, and new opportunities.

The Wirtgen Stiftungen have been active in this field for five years and, with the construction of this new, volunteer-run day center, are expanding their services for those in need to complement their “Housing First” approach.

The building was constructed and financed by the Wirtgen Stiftungen; the facility, which offers space for up to 60 people in need, will be operated by Caritas in the future. A full-time Caritas staff member will now coordinate the ten volunteers.

Special thanks go to Peter Jung, on behalf of everyone involved in the Neuwied city administration, who supported not only “Housing First” but also this project from the very beginning.

Above all, our deepest gratitude and respect go to the many volunteers. To the people who dedicate themselves day in and day out to helping the homeless and those without housing - whether by shopping, cooking, doing laundry, or simply listening. They are the foundation of this work. Without their commitment, this support program would not exist.

Three Years from Concept to Opening

From the initial discussions to the grand opening, approximately three years of intensive planning, coordination, and preparation passed. The official groundbreaking ceremony took place on April 24, 2025. Thanks to the excellent collaboration of all involved, the building was completed after just under ten months of construction - a successful example of efficient project implementation.

A building tailored to people’s needs

“Schöppchen 2.0” was deliberately designed to be modern, multifunctional, and needs-oriented. The goal was to create an environment that not only provides practical assistance but also offers space for counseling, social interaction, and stabilization.

The new day center includes, among other features:

• a spacious dining hall with seating for up to 50 visitors
• a modern kitchen with a separate dishwashing and food storage area
• three showers and three toilets to meet basic hygiene needs
• two washing machines and two dryers
• several storage rooms to properly receive and manage donations
• three meeting rooms for counseling, conversations, and group therapy
• a workspace for clients, especially for digital processes and interactions with public authorities
• a medical room for low-threshold healthcare support
• a staff room for the care team

A highlight is also the relaxed inner courtyard, which provides visitors with an additional protected outdoor area – a place to breathe, exchange, and spend time.

Sustainable support instead of short-term assistance

The motivation behind the commitment of the Wirtgen Stiftungen is to create sustainable structures that permanently improve the living conditions of homeless and housing-insecure people. While a spontaneous cash donation to a homeless person in the city often has only a very short-term effect - if any at all - “Schöppchen 2.0” and “Housing First” deliberately focus on long-term support, professional care, and reliable services.

At Schöppchen 2.0, people not only find a warm place to stay and a meal, but also access to counseling, medical support, hygiene facilities, and assistance with administrative or digital matters.

A new level of social support in Neuwied

With the new building, the existing services are being raised to a new standard both qualitatively and quantitatively. The modern facilities enable greater capacity, improved care, and a significantly broader range of support services for visitors.

A strong statement of social responsibility

With “Schöppchen 2.0,” the Wirtgen Stiftungen, together with Caritas and the City of Neuwied, are making a strong statement in favor of social cohesion and responsibility. The new facility offers homeless and housing-insecure people not only practical day-to-day support, but also a place of dignity, respect, and opportunity.

The project impressively demonstrates what is possible when foundations, welfare organizations, and municipal partners work together—for the benefit of the people in the community.

“Schöppchen 2.0” is therefore not just a building, but a place of hope, stability, and new opportunities.