The CJD - Creating Opportunities

The CJD is one of Germany’s largest social and educational organisations. Every year, it gives 155,000 young people and adults guidance and opportunities for the future. 9,500 full-time employees and numerous volunteers at over 150 locations provide help, support and education/training. This work is based on the Christian conception of what it means to be human, with the vision: “Let no one fall by the wayside!”

The CJD was founded in 1947 by the pastor Arnold Dannenmann. He wanted to give a fresh start to people who had been left homeless and directionless by the war by means of communal living and vocational training in a village for young people. Since its founding, the services offered by the CJD have expanded to cover a wide range of areas: for example, it has launched programmes for highly gifted individuals, projects for young offenders with open prison sentences and aftercare programmes for former drug addicts. The CJD’s schools, workshops, crèches, nurseries and hostels have helped millions of people since the organisation’s founding.

The CJD is constantly expanding its services, especially in order to provide education and care to people who receive no other assistance. Accordingly, CJD staff see themselves as ‘creators of opportunities’. Services offered by the CJD include: