Strengthening families and making their achievements visible

Hesse's Family Minister Diana Stolz inspects construction progress at the Kolping Family Holiday Center in Herbstein |  The three Kolping diocesan associations of Fulda, Mainz, and Limburg are jointly involved as the sponsoring association of the family holiday center in Herbstein, offering programs for families, children, teenagers, and senior citizens. With her visit as part of her summer tour, Hesse's Family Minister Diana Stolz underscores the importance of the facility.

 The project aims to empower families in diverse life situations – barrier-free, intergenerational, inclusive, and with a focus on families facing particular challenges. The visit took place as part of the modernization of the conference and leisure facilities at the family holiday center. "We want to remain attractive to all generations in the future – that includes families, groups of trainees, and our senior citizens," explained Managing Director Norman Strauch, outlining the necessity of the construction work. The overall project, encompassing structural, energy-efficiency, and conceptual improvements, amounts to €1.1 million. It is being funded by the State of Hesse with €630,000. Klemens Euler, Deputy Chairman of the sponsoring association, emphasized in his welcoming remarks that this financial commitment from the state is complemented by extensive volunteer work and donations from the association. "The voluntary commitment of our Kolping members, amounting to 2,000 hours annually, along with additional special assignments related to the construction project, is invaluable and directly benefits our guests," said Euler. After a tour of the construction site with the Minister, the group visited the herb garden. Together with the children at the family retreat, the minister pitched in and planted new herbs. Afterwards, she and her busy helpers made herb salt. For the children in particular, the relaxed atmosphere, the opportunity to share their experiences, and the chance to ask the minister their own questions were a special experience. "Today I witnessed firsthand how important places like this are for families. Places where children can explore the world together and families can meet, relax, recharge, and connect with one another," enthused Diana Stolz. "Families bear daily responsibility for children, for relatives, for our social cohesion. It is our duty as a state to recognize and support this contribution – not just when things get difficult, but reliably from the very beginning," the minister continued.