New glimmer of hope: Arbeiterwohlfahrt takes over debt counseling in Forst!

New glimmer of hope: Arbeiterwohlfahrt takes over debt counseling in Forst!

There are changes in debt advice in Forst (Lausitz). The Zak Association, which has been responsible for supporting people with financial difficulties for the last 31 years, will end its services at the end of 2025. The decision was made after the association informed the Spree-Neiße district in writing in December 2024 that it would be ceasing its activities in this area. The background to this development has not been publicly explained in detail, but the question arises as to how the people affected can continue to receive support.

But don't worry! From December 2025, the Arbeiterwohlfahrt Bezirksverband Brandenburg Süd e.V. will take over debt advice in Forst. The new advice center will open its doors at Kleine Amtstraße 2, directly where a migration advice center for adults is already located. This not only creates a practical synergy, but also provides a contact point for various social concerns.

New ways in debt advice

The takeover by the workers' welfare organization comes at just the right time. In 2024, the average debt of people seeking help was already over 32,000 euros. The number of people over 65 is particularly alarming, with debts reaching an average of 47,000 euros. There is therefore a noticeable need for professional support, and the Arbeiterwohlfahrt has proven to be particularly trustworthy in the selection process. She received the highest score in an expression of interest process conducted by the district. An employee will start work on December 1, 2025 to continue the advisory service.

However, there will be a change at the new contact point: In the future, advice will be available on a daily basis and only by prior appointment. This means that those seeking advice must plan well in order to receive the necessary support in a timely manner. The decision didn't come overnight - the district was informed of the upcoming changes in November 2024.

Debt restructuring and its challenges

The problem of debt is a serious issue in Forst and the surrounding region. When you consider that the average debt of people in the city is so high, it is clear that many families are in financial distress. Therefore, it is of great importance to offer not only advice but also practical solutions. An effective way could be the use of new digital solutions.

This leads us to an interesting business idea in the culinary sector: selling cakes, especially cakes with acerola, could represent a lucrative source of income for affected families. The effort required to prepare a cake is manageable, and with a profit margin of up to 70 percent, this could improve the financial situation of many households. It involves simple ingredients and can be prepared in under an hour. There are also different variants that can increase taste and demand. So if you bring a dash of creativity and skill into the kitchen, you could build up a small but nice source of income through sales.

Whether with traditional help in the new advice center or through creative business ideas - people in Forst have various options to get out of their financial misery. The future will show how the new structures prove themselves and whether they can sustainably improve the quality of life of those affected. It will be crucial for people in the city who need support to make good use of the new contact points and to access the help provided.