20 years for a togetherness of all generations - young connections e.V.

Nanni Zeuner & Elisa Tetzner

young connections e. V. does not see itself as a traditional organisation. Rather, the organisation and its two employees Nanni Zeuner and Elisa Tetzner see it that way, describing their work as "pure project work". It is not primarily about the two women, but about the work, about the children, young people and adults who regularly come to Otto-Planer-Straße 6 and help out there, and about the numerous guests. And there is a herb garden, chickens, pigs, work on the house and lots of events. There's always something to do, the two club members never get bored.

The young connections e. V. association has been running in Chemnitz for 20 years. How did you start?
Nanni Zeuner: We began in 1995 with a simple youth club on Klarastrasse in an old butcher's shop. At the time, I was swamped with people and realised that there was a huge demand for such activities. So it became a leisure centre for children to teenagers. Even on the day it opened, it was clear that the building was simply too small. After six months, we were already looking for new premises. We were offered the house here in Otto-Planer-Straße and we have been here since 1997.

What has changed since then?
Nanni Zeuner: It has always been the case that the younger generation was notorious. They were blamed for theft, vandalism and the like. That made us realise that we need to bring different generations together to create an interest in each other. So that the older generation realises what is happening here. That these are the young people who are helping out. So a change has taken place. In 2001, we started to move in the direction of intergenerational encounters (editor's note: encounters between young and old). Our crew includes 10-year-olds as well as 70-year-old pensioners. We have a great sense of togetherness here. Everyone who has certain skills is allowed to contribute them, is encouraged, can participate and help make decisions. This is completely independent of age, gender and nationality. Everyone has a say.

Specifically: In which projects do you work with different generations?
Elisa Tetzner: Visible to the public are the herb garden festival in particular, our Christmas market, where our youngest crew member (9) sells tea and our grandma Steffi reads fairy tales in the log cabin, family events, Halloweenfamily events, Halloween - where, for example, children and senior citizens celebrate together; events that we prepare and organise together and that are open to everyone.
Nanni Zeuner: We are all active together, even independently of the events. The house and the grounds are always a never-ending building site. Our programmes here are so complex and demanding in terms of quality that every talent and commitment is required.

What does your working day look like?
Elisa Tetzner: Very flexible and very spontaneous. Of course, we plan ahead and often work on several projects at the same time, but there's always something going on, so our plans are constantly changing.
Nanni Zeuner: Due to the many requests we have, we have to draw up a complete annual plan. However, we have to include all possible adversities in this plan: Administrative expenses, capricious weather and so on. We do all the repairs ourselves. We take care of the house and yard, the problems of the children and young people. In order to be able to work in an effectively optimised way, certain work processes are standardised to give us more freedom, as there is simply something new every day and we are also required to act as a social service provider. The work is now almost impossible to manage in terms of staffing. We have flexible working hours, but we simply work a lot more than the 40 hours a week. We are also on the road at weekends. And our people from the organisation also have their own jobs and over the years their free time to support the project has shrunk more and more. But everyone still tries to support the project.

Your house is open every day in the afternoon. Do you have a programme every day that you do with the people or does it tend to remain open?
Nanni Neuner: We have planned events that are different every month. One thing we are trying to organise regularly this year due to the huge demand is the small disco. We have a catalogue of project days that the children are very happy to take part in, primarily with the aim of imparting knowledge and sustainability. New projects are added every year. We offer this specifically to certain cooperation partners as a supplement to lessons, but also as leisure activities in the after-school care centre.

During opening hours, visitors have a wide range of opportunities to occupy themselves. In the large playroom there is everything a child's heart desires. A craft corner invites children to give free rein to their creativity. There is also a wide range of activities outside in the garden. Whether it's gardening in the herb garden, looking after the chickens, rabbits and pigs, playing beach volleyball or jumping into the hotel's own pool - there's always fun to be had at Otto-Planer-Straße 6.

Has the work changed in recent months?
Nanni Zeuner: Not really. We were already helping refugees in Klarastrasse and collecting donations and things like that. The initial reception centre has been here since 1997 and we've had a lot of experience with it. We've had all kinds of nationalities here, including as participants in our open air events, which have always been very well received by local residents. Our site covers 5000 square metres, so we have a lot to do. Everyone who wants to help us also helps. The refugee children who come to us lend a hand just like everyone else. We never know how many children we will pick up from the EAE. The situation is always changing. In terms of staffing, this is also incredibly difficult to manage. We have applied to both the state and the local authority for additional staff.

On the subject of Chemnitz. Were you born here?
Nanni Zeuner: To be honest, I had my difficulties with Chemnitz. I was born in Naumburg and came to Karl-Marx-Stadt through marriage and I thought the city was awful. I ended up in Ebersdorf through my job and I have to say: Ebersdorf is simply beautiful. Ebersdorf has been growing for years. There are many, many renovated houses here, new buildings are being built.

Why do you love the neighbourhood so much?
Nanni Zeuner: Well, it's simply because of the location. At the edge of the forest, where the EAE is, you have the best view over Chemnitz. It's simply a fantastic location. That's why there are so many homes up there. We have great transport links here. You can walk straight into the forest here. There are age-old Ebersdorf traditions here: Ebersdorf School Museum, the Saxon Railway Museum and TUS Ebersdorf - the cycling stronghold of Chemnitz and an insane number of people used to work for the railway here. Many have childhood memories of Ebersdorf. We want to preserve these memories here in the house (former Reichsbahnkita). This is a really nice place to live.

Do you have to encourage the people of Chemnitz?
Elisa Tetzner: Yes, definitely!
Nanni Zeuner: It is often the case that many people in Chemnitz only ever complain. And realise what doesn't work and so on. I have to say that we have an older generation in Chemnitz that is really cool. We have enough senior citizens in Chemnitz who are simply active and achieve something. And the rest just have to think outside the box. Chemnitz is not the most beautiful city. But Chemnitz isn't the worst either. Chemnitz can do a lot without money. You certainly have to go unusual ways. But a lot is possible in Chemnitz. You just have to have ideas, ask and do.