The foundation
CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW is a charitable foundation established in Hamburg by Stefanie Graf in 1998. It is based at the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf. The premises are home to the outpatient clinic for refugees, to the therapists of the school project HoneyHeroes! and the foundation’s main office.
The CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW foundation independently initiates and runs projects that promote the healthy development of children and young adolescents who have been victims of war, persecution or other forms of organised violence. To this end, the foundation establishes and maintains facilities at regional hotspots to provide medical and psychotherapeutic care for the affected children. It also fosters the education of the affected children and supports related research projects.
An excerpt from the foundation’s charter:
The purpose of the foundation is to promote public healthcare, research and youth welfare, as well as support persons in need within the meaning of Section 53 of the Fiscal Code (Abgabeordnung).
- The purposes of the charter are met in particular through the following activities:
- The foundation independently initiates and runs projects that promote the healthy development of children and young people who have been victims of war, persecution or other forms of organised violence. To this end, the foundation is able to establish and maintain facilities at regional hotspots to provide medical and psychotherapeutic care for the affected children, foster the education of the affected children and support related research projects.
- The foundation is able to provide non-material and financial support to children, young people and their families who are in need of assistance within the meaning of Section 53 of the Fiscal Code. The various forms of support are designed to be provided on an individual case-by-case basis. They are not intended to be a long-term arrangement. Their aim is to promote mental and physical recovery, education and integration in Germany. No services to which there is a legal entitlement are to be funded.
- The foundation can raise public awareness of the fate of children who have been victims of war, persecution or other forms of organised violence. To this end, specific public relations work – particularly in the form of the publication of informational material in spoken and written form, but also through the international sharing of experiences relating to the affected children with universities and other institutions by the foundation’s bodies or assistants of the foundation – can be used to educate the public and boost interest in the fate of affected children.
- The foundation may delegate the substantive and organisational measures drawn up for the purposes of achieving its aims to suitable institutions acting on its behalf as a proxy. In doing so, the foundation shall make the necessary resources available.
Friends and supporters
Dorit und Alexander Otto Stiftung
The charitable Dorit & Alexander Otto Foundation was established at the beginning of 2011 by the Hamburg-based entrepreneur couple. The focus of the foundation’s work is on funding medical research and healthcare as well as championing culture in the Hamburg region.
Since 2017, the Dorit & Alexander Otto Foundation has been supporting the HoneyHeroes! project run by CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW, thereby making a significant contribution to the therapeutic care of refugee children at primary schools in Hamburg.
Union Investment
For more than 55 years, Union Investment has been a byword for reliability, sustainability and a consistent focus on quality in asset and investment management. The company is one of the largest providers of real estate solutions for private and institutional investors in Europe, investing in the office, retail, hospitality, logistics and residential sectors.
Helping refugee children to deal with the traumas they have suffered is essential to their development and successful integration in exile. Union Investment has been supporting the work of CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW since 2016 in order to give these children a positive future and pave the way for them to assimilate into society.
UKE Hamburg
Since 1999, CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW has been supporting the outpatient centre for refugee children and adolescents in cooperation with the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). This outpatient centre is aimed at young refugees up to the age of 21 and their families who have had to leave their home country as a result of war, persecution and organised violence and are now living in Germany. One particular area of the outpatient centre focuses on the psychotherapeutic treatment of post-traumatic stress disorders. Together with the UKE, we are able to make an important contribution to building peace.
Hamburg Behörde für Arbeit, Soziales, Familie und Integration
CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW and the State Ministry of Schools and Vocational Training are closely cooperating on the project ‘HoneyHeroes! Making children strong for tomorrow’. The project enables refugee children to receive therapy at the place where they attend school. The school authority provides the space and material resources for the project, contributes to the costs of trauma-specific training and supervision for teachers and supports the accompanying socio-educational work. Retired Senator for Schools Ties Rabe: ‘This joint project undertakes pioneering work that pools the expertise of schools, Regional Education and Advice Centres and CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW in a meaningful way.’
Joachim Herz Stiftung
The charitable Joachim Herz Foundation has been backing education, science and research projects since 2008. It is primarily active in the fields of natural sciences, economics and personal development and its work focuses on supporting transfer and innovation.
With its commitment to funding the HoneyHeroes! project run by CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW, the Joachim Herz Foundation helps schools and schoolchildren to deal with challenging circumstances caused by traumatic experiences as refugees.
Hartog Stiftung
The Hartog Foundation is a charitable foundation established on 11 November 2005 by entrepreneur and patron Harold A. Hartog. Besides championing art and culture for a number of decades, Harold and Ingeborg Hartog have also taken an interest in the fate of elderly and disadvantaged people. They have supported numerous projects in the cultural and social sphere with regular donations throughout their lives. The purpose of the foundation is to provide financial support for youth and elderly welfare work, development aid projects and international understanding initiatives, further the work of officially recognised welfare associations and support charitable and church causes.
Beisheim Stiftung
The Beisheim Foundation is committed to ensuring that every person can reach their full potential and play an active role in the community. In order to achieve this aim, we fund and develop projects in the fields of education, health, culture and sport. Our approach is based on partnership combined with action focused on making an impact.
The Beisheim Foundation supports the HoneyHeroes! project so that refugee children are given easy access to psychotherapeutic care.
Kilian Kerner
Kilian Kerner has been working as a designer since 2003. Besides his own brands, which have been sold to 14 countries worldwide, he has cooperated with companies such as Nike, Villeroy & Boch, Samsonite and many others.
The Berlin designer’s fashion has been presented in New York, Paris, London, Barcelona and LA. He has been regularly showcasing his creations at Berlin Fashion Week since 2008 and is one of the German capital’s absolute icons.
Kilian Kerner supports CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW on account of his own story: ‘I know what it is like to experience childhood trauma. I attended my first therapy session at the age of 21. Traumatised children must be given the opportunity to process their experiences at a much earlier stage. This is precisely where CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW comes in. I have always followed the work of Stefanie Graf and her team and am pleased to be able to play a small part in supporting the “HoneyHeroes!” project today.’
Beisheim Stiftung
The charitable foundation has supported social projects in Hamburg and far beyond since its founding in 2007. When selecting projects for sponsorship, the focus is on the field of mental health. Four areas of activity take centre stage: early intervention, increasing resilience, research and development of new methods, and destigmatisation.
The Peter Möhrle Stiftung sponsors Children for Tomorrow’s “HoneyHeroes!” project to ensure that children who could otherwise fall through the care net receive therapeutic support on-site at primary schools.
Organisation
Foundation under German civil law
Stefanie Graf
Dr. Jörg F. Debatin
Deputy Chairman
‘On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW, I especially think with gratitude of Prof. Peter Riedesser, who unfortunately passed away far too soon. He was instrumental in establishing the foundation as a source of ideas. I am also grateful to Stefanie Graf, who, as the founder, has made the excellent project work at home and abroad possible in the first place. The foundation’s purpose – to treat psychologically traumatised children – is even more relevant today than it was when it was founded. This underlines the importance of the work of the foundation and its professional team for the years ahead.’
Dr. Uwe Koch-Gromus
‘It is a real pleasure to support Stefanie Graf in her important mission. The highly credible work being done by the founder and the foundation to help traumatised children and young people plays a key role in enabling those affected to continue living their lives. The UKE is proud to have the CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW foundation based on its grounds.’
Stephanie Hermes
Management
‘The CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW foundation gives us the opportunity to focus solely on the needs of the children as the benchmark for our goals and continuously learn from the children themselves. This experience is an incredible gift.’
Thomas Külpmann
Chairman
‘I have been on the Board of Trustees for the CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW foundation for over 20 years and it has been a real pleasure for me to see how it has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years. It has come a long way from recruiting a small team of therapists to being the largest outpatient centre for refugee children and young people in Germany, not to mention founding our own project at the schools in cooperation with the school authority! I am very proud to be part of such a dedicated and experienced team working on the important issue of mental health among young refugees.’
Ansgar Wimmer
‘It is not always easy to do the right thing. With her resolve as the founder to work on behalf of traumatised refugee children and their families, Stefanie Graf has once again demonstrated vision and courage. Away from all the political debates, simply doing the right thing, giving children a chance, helping them to deal with their trauma and making it possible for them to lead a life beyond the fear and terrible memories, that is the mission of CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW. I am happy to support the excellent team around Stefanie Graf in their important work.’
Dr. Martin Kefferpütz
‘Some 25 years ago, Stefanie Graf decided to get involved in a charitable project in an area that was as important as it was difficult. It is impressive to see the personal commitment and interest shown by the founder in informing and shaping the foundation’s activities, confirming how important it is to her to support the children and young people and how much she herself is familiar with the details of the work of her foundation, enabling her to develop strategies for the future. This is inspiring for everyone else and it is therefore no coincidence that the founder was able to secure a highly motivated, qualified and committed team for CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW. I myself therefore feel very fortunate to be able to accompany CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW on its journey in my role as a member of the Board of Trustees.’
Anna Turinsky
Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist
HoneyHeroes! Project Management
‘What I particularly appreciate about working at CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW is that we are always allowed to think outside the box – both in terms of working with people from different cultures and in terms of the outreach therapy in a new setting, namely the school.’
Sandra Morelli
Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist
‘I work at CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW because working in schools gives me the opportunity to reach children and young people who would otherwise not be able to access therapeutic support. Here, in addition to the important individual therapeutic work, I can play my part in designing and implementing new supportive projects.’
Lukas Krämer
Art Therapist
‘At CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW I can bring the wide-ranging experience gained from my work as a self-employed artist to the HoneyHeroes! project and witness how children manage to express the unspeakable in their art.’
Marco von Frieling
Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist
‘I decided to work with CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW because the foundation has made it its mission to support one of the most vulnerable groups in our society. What’s more, the “HoneyHeroes!” project breaks new ground in the field of psychotherapeutic care. The outreach work in schools brings with it exciting challenges and is undertaken close to the reality of the children’s lives. I am delighted to be able to help shape this valuable work.’
Carina Kronberger
Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist
— on maternity leave —
‘What I especially enjoy about working at CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW is the openness of the families and the unique joy of the children during the therapy sessions, the appreciative and supportive atmosphere within the team and the close cooperation with my colleagues and project partners.’
The founding story:
an interview with Stefanie Graf
In 1998, tennis legend Stefanie Graf launched the CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW foundation. To this day, she remains highly committed to helping children from war zones and is regularly in Hamburg to sit in on therapy sessions and share ideas with her team and project partners. In the following interview, Stefanie Graf talks about her motivation to support refugee children and why the issue is now more topical than ever.
25 years of CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW
1998–2008
The CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW foundation is established in 1998 by Stefanie Graf in conjunction with Prof. Peter Riedesser. One year later, the outpatient centre for refugees starts with two employees and 20 patients.
In 1999, CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW launches ‘Children in Crisis’ to support children in the townships of Cape Town who have suffered for years from the effects of apartheid and political unrest and are in need of psychological help. The following year, the foundation in Gjakova sets up the ‘Trauma and Reconciliation’ project, helping children and young people in Kosovo to get their bearings in a post-war country by offering socio-psychiatric support.
In 2008, CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW opens the first kindergarten with a psychotherapeutic focus in Asmara, Eritrea. It offers psychiatric treatment for traumatised children, training courses for teachers and families, and psycho-educational programmes that are urgently needed in the war-torn country.
2009–2019
In 2009, a psychotherapeutic outpatient centre for former child soldiers is established at the hospital in Gulu, Uganda. A therapy hut is also built outside the hospital. The project looks after more than 500 children.
In 2011, the headquarters of the CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW foundation are inaugurated on the grounds of the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf. In the same year, the outpatient centre for refugees is launched at the foundation’s new headquarters. At this point in time, 300 children are being treated as outpatients by eight employees.
In 2016 and 2018, CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW cooperates with John Neumeier’s National Youth Ballet. In week-long workshops, children rehearse a piece with choreographer Kevin Haigen, which is then performed at the end of the week.
In 2017, CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW launches the foundation’s first operational project: HoneyHeroes! provides outreach psychotherapy for children at their school. The following year, the project has six employees caring for up to 100 children, 50 sets of parents and 60 teachers at schools annually.
2020–today
In 2020, CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW expands its therapy services to the Regional Education and Advice Centres in the city of Hamburg as part of the HoneyHeroes! project. Six weeks after the outbreak of the pandemic, the school gates open once again for the foundation: our therapists can offer children one-to-one therapy and give them stability and continuity during the crisis.
After the pandemic, the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in Hamburg approves the first school location for therapy services: a therapist offers places for refugee children on one morning at the Regional Education and Advice Centre in Wilhelmsburg.
In 2021, the HoneyHeroes! project run by CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW wins first prize at the Hamburg Foundation Awards.
Today, the CHILDREN FOR TOMORROW team has ten members. Almost 600 children have been treated in schools since the start of the project. A total of 191 parents have been looked after, while 165 teachers have participated in training and supervision activities.
The outpatient centre for refugees now has 16 employees and treats more than 600 children a year.
